We are seeking a PhD student with the equivalent of a First Class Honours or Master’s degree in physical chemistry, physics, mechanical/chemical engineering or an equivalent discipline to participate in an Australian Research Council Discovery Project on the Molecular Design of Complex Lubricants to Reduce Friction. This exciting PhD project involves collaboration between teams at Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University and Imperial College London. The student will have a unique opportunity to contribute towards both the computational and experimental aspects of the project and will spend up to 12 months at Imperial College London working on the experiments.
Computational work will be performed at Swinburne and will involve the use of the LAMMPS software package and in-house software to perform nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of appropriate lubricants under conditions of high confinement, large shear rates, and extreme temperatures and pressures.
Experience in C++ programming, the LAMMPS package, or the ability to become quickly proficient would be an advantage. The position will be primarily located at the Hawthorn (Melbourne) campus of Swinburne University of
Technology and the successful applicant will be required to formally enrol in the University’s PhD program. A period of up to 12 months will also be spent at Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, in the Tribology Group working alongside Dr Janet Wong and Prof. Daniele Dini on the
experimental component of the project.
The annual tax-free stipend is $27,596 (indexed) for three years (with possible 6 month extension) with tuition fees paid for up to four years and a thesis allowance. In addition, there is an allowance for conference attendance/professional development.
Further details can be obtained from Professor Billy Todd (btodd@…9124…).
Applications should consist of cover letter (1 page), a brief curriculum vitae (a strict maximum of 3 pages) and complete academic transcripts, detailing marks for individual subjects. They should be emailed to Professor Billy Todd (btodd@…9124…) by 5 June, 2020.