PhD in Plastic Waste to Clean Fuel at CQUniversity (Chemical/Environmental Engineering)

CQUniversity's School of Engineering and Technology is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship as part of the Solving Plastic Waste CRC initiative. This research project is focused on converting waste soft plastics, such as LDPE, LLDPE, and PP, into contaminant-free, fuel-grade oil using advanced pyrolysis techniques. The project will involve comprehensive material characterisation using methods such as GC-MS, TGA, FTIR, and XRD, as well as pilot-scale reactor optimisation, process modelling with ASPEN PLUS, kinetic modelling with CHEMKIN II, and techno-economic analysis. The scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of AU$42,000 per year for three years, supporting full-time study. Eligible applicants must be Australian citizens, Permanent Residents, or New Zealand citizens who meet CQUniversity's PhD entry requirements. Candidates with backgrounds in chemical, mechanical, process, energy, or environmental engineering or chemistry are encouraged to apply, especially those with prior research experience and strong analytical skills. The project aims to address the global challenge of plastic waste by developing efficient methods to recover valuable fuel products from waste plastics, contributing to both environmental sustainability and energy innovation. The research will begin with detailed feedstock characterisation to understand thermal behaviour, composition, and structure, followed by pilot-scale reactor trials and advanced process modelling to maximise oil yield and minimise by-products. Interested candidates should contact Professor Mohammad Rasul or Dr Mehedi Hasan for further discussion and review the full scholarship details on the CQUniversity website. The application deadline is 13 March 2026.