PhD Scholarship Opportunities in Optoelectronic Semiconductors at the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science (Multiple Positions)
Job No.: 682543
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Graduate Research Degrees: E8009 - Doctor of Philosophy (Monash - Bayreuth)
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: AUD 36,063 per annum (tax-free stipend) (2025 rate)
Monash University has partnered with the University of Bayreuth (Germany) along with the University of Melbourne to constitute an interdisciplinary International Research Training Group (IRTG): “Optical excitations in organic and inorganic semiconductors” (OPTEXC). As part of this program there is the opportunity for students to undertake fully funded joint degrees with the University of Bayreuth in Germany in the areas of experimental and theoretical physics, synthetic, physical and computational chemistry, material sciences and related areas.
The Opportunity
The OPTEXC IRTG involves 20 academics in Australia and Germany working in complementary areas related to novel semiconductor materials. A range of PhD projects are on offer relating to understanding how the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors, notably the nature of their photoexcitations, can be tailored by employing external stimuli such as local fields. In this IRTG, you will be part of an international and diverse team working on both, organic and inorganic semiconductors, in order to develop a general understanding of the effects of external stimuli on the photophysical properties of these types of semiconductors. This IRTG provides an outstanding environment for research training and a unique opportunity to undertake a truly international PhD, with a one year research stay at the University of Bayreuth in Germany part of the doctoral qualification program, leading to joint PhDs with degrees from both universities.
Applications are sought from outstanding candidates with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, materials science and related disciplines. Specific projects seeking applications are:
- Accelerating the discovery of inorganic solar-cell materials via a closed-loop, fully robotic synthesis–characterisation platform driven by multi-agent machine learning.
Supervisor: Prof. Udo Bach, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
(Email: udo.bach@monash.edu)
- Manipulating light at the nanoscale
Supervisor: Dr Alison Funston, School of Chemistry
(Email: alison.funston@monash.edu)
- Next-generation solar cells
Supervisor: Prof. Jacek Jasieniak, Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
(Email: jacek.asieniak@monash.edu)
- Advanced in-situ synchrotron X-ray characterisation of solution-processed semiconductor films
Supervisor: Prof. Chris McNeill, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
(Email: christopher.mcneill@monash.edu)
For further information about the OPTEX IRTG in general, please consult the IRTG website. For specific questions about the research projects above, please email the corresponding supervisor.
For information about the specific Graduate Research Degree, please follow this link:
Candidate Requirements
Applicants will be considered provided they fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/graduate-research/how-to-apply
Your application will be looked upon favourably if you:
- Graduated in the top 10% of your year level
- Graduated from a well ranked university
- Have authored peer-reviewed research publications*
- Possess excellent written and verbal English skills
* Not needed for domestic students (Australian and New Zealand citizens and those with permanent residency in Australia) that have a First Class Honours degree. Applications from domestic students are especially encouraged, though applications from exceptional international students are also welcome.
Note: applicants who already hold a PhD degree will not be considered.
Applicants must show excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to conduct self-motivated research. They should have either completed or in the process of completing a First Class Honours (H1) Bachelors Degree or already hold a First Class Honours equivalent (H1E) Bachelors and/or Masters degree. Candidates who are in the process of completing their H1 degree will be considered.
Application Process
To apply for a graduate research degree and/or scholarship at Monash Engineering please follow the following steps:
1. Check your eligibility
Before beginning the application process, make sure that you meet our entry requirements. You can check the minimum entry requirements for the PhD in the course handbook. Applicants must also satisfy Monash’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
2. Confirm your supervisor
Email one of the supervisors listed above to informally express your interest in one of the projects. If they are happy with your background and suitability they will encourage you to submit a formal expression of interest.
3. Submit an expression of interest
Once you have confirmed your potential supervisor in the research area of your choice, complete the Expression of Interest form that will then be reviewed by your potential supervisor and the relevant department’s administrative staff.
Please note the submission of the Expression of Interest does not constitute a formal application for a Research Degree.
4. Obtain an invitation to apply
If after assessing your Expression of Interest the potential supervisor has the suitable resources and expertise to take you on as a graduate research student, you will be supplied with an Invitation to Apply.
All applicants are required to upload a copy of their invitation to apply with their formal application. Applications without this will not be considered.
5. After you have received an invitation to apply you can then proceed to submit an application via the My.App portal.
Enquiries: Further enquiries about the scholarship or application process should be directed to Graduate Research Office, eng-gradresearch@monash.edu or visit website monash.edu/future-students/phd.
For enquires about the project, please contact the individual supervisors listed above.
Applications Close: Friday August 15 2025, 11:55pm AEST
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