Value
$37,000 per year plus additional research funds ($7,500) for PhD-related expenses including international travel for collaborative research at IMT Nord Europe.
Duration
3.5 years
Status
Closed
Closed.
Opens
28/07/2025Closes
01/09/2025Overview
This project aims to revolutionize algal biotechnology by developing predictive models for the rheological and hydrodynamic behavior of high-density mixed algal cultures. As industrial algal cultivation increasingly adopts co-cultivation strategies to enhance productivity and system resilience, understanding the complex interactions in mixed suspensions becomes critical for efficient photobioreactor design and operation. This project will utilize advanced rheological characterization and hydrodynamic analysis to optimize energy-efficient algal bioprocesses.
The student will be part of the Algal Biosystems and Biotechnology Team and Climate Change Cluster at UTS, with significant collaborative research periods at IMT Nord Europe’s Center for Energy and Environment in Douai (France). This is an innovative international collaboration combining UTS's expertise in algal biotechnology with IMT's advanced hydrodynamic facilities. The project bridges cutting-edge laboratory research with real-world industrial-scale implementation, driving innovation from bench to industry.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be either Australian citizens, permanent residents (PR) of Australia, or New Zealand citizens. To be eligible for this application, you must hold one of the following or equivalent qualifications:
Honours degree with First Class, or Second-Class Division 1, or
MSc Research or MSc Coursework with a research thesis of at least 6 months, or
Be regarded by the university as having an equivalent level of attainment
Selection process
Essential Requirements:
Demonstrated experience in biotechnology, chemical engineering, process engineering, fluid mechanics, or related fields
Strong background in at least one of: microbiology, rheology, fluid dynamics, or bioprocess engineering
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, work independently, and collaborate effectively in international teams
High level of motivation and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, with a strong willingness to learn programming and acquire new skills.
Ability to commence studies by September 2025
Willingness to undertake extended research periods in France (6-12 months total)
Highly Desirable:
Experience with microalgae cultivation
Knowledge of rheological measurements or experimental fluid mechanics
Programming skills for data and image analysis (MATLAB, Python, or similar)
Previous international research experience
Applications closed
Application period between 28/07/2025 – 1/09/2025
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Project Information
Host Institutions: This project represents a collaboration between the Algal Biosystems and Biotechnology (ABB) Team within the Climate Change Cluster (C3) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and IMT Nord Europe Center for Energy and Environment in France. The student will be primarily based at UTS in Sydney, with significant research periods (6-12 months total) at IMT Nord Europe to access specialized hydrodynamic facilities within the Complex Fluid Flow lab.
The Algal Biosystems and Biotechnology (ABB) Team, UTS unites experts in algal biotechnology, molecular sciences, and analytical chemistry to advance sustainable bioprocessing solutions. The team specializes in developing technical innovations that support scalable algal cultivation systems. C3 hosts 90 researchers and provides comprehensive field and laboratory-based analytical equipment, including photobioreactors, rheometers, and advanced microscopy facilities.
IMT Nord Europe is a leading European engineering school with world-class facilities for fluid mechanics and process engineering research. Their specialized equipment includes advanced Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems, Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) setups, and high-speed shadowgraphy imaging systems essential for detailed hydrodynamic analysis of algal suspensions.
Research Impact
This research directly addresses critical challenges in sustainable biotechnology by:
Developing predictive models for energy-efficient photobioreactor design
Supporting the scale-up of algal bioprocesses for renewable fuel and high-value product production
Contributing to climate change mitigation through improved carbon capture technologies
Advancing fundamental understanding of multiphase fluid dynamics in biological systems
The outcomes will have immediate applications in industrial algal cultivation, supporting Australia's emerging bioeconomy and contributing to global sustainability goals.
Other information
Additional Support:
International travel funding for extended research periods in France
Conference presentation and publication support
Access to specialized training workshops in rheology and fluid mechanics