Fang Xia

This PhD opportunity focuses on sustainable copper mining through in-situ recovery (ISR), a transformative and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional mining. The project, titled "Investigating the interactions between sulfide minerals and in-situ recovery fluids for sustainable copper mining," is a collaboration between Murdoch University, CSIRO Mineral Resources, and EnviroCopper Ltd. The research aims to advance ISR science, supporting the global energy transition by unlocking copper resources from low-grade deposits while minimizing environmental impact. The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program designed to produce innovation leaders skilled at the interface of research and industry. The program includes admission to a university PhD, supervision by university, CSIRO, and industry partners, and a 60-day industry engagement component. The primary location is Murdoch University, with additional engagement at EnviroCopper Limited and CSIRO Kensington. Applicants should have a background in physical sciences or earth science, such as chemistry, chemical engineering, geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, environmental science, or physics. Experience with analytical techniques (SEM, XRD, ICP-MS) or geological mapping is desirable. Strong communication skills for both academic and industry engagement are expected. Candidates must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens, meet English language requirements, and be able to commence the program in the year of offer. Full-time enrollment is required, with part-time considered in special cases. Onboarding to CSIRO, including background checks, is mandatory. The scholarship provides $47,000 per annum (tax-free) for four years, plus $13,000 per annum for project expenses and development. The award is fully funded and covers tuition and living expenses. The program also offers structured professional development and training to enhance applied research skills. To apply, candidates should review the project details and eligibility, then submit an expression of interest to Prof. Fang Xia ([email protected]) with a 2-page statement, CV, and academic transcripts. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed. Applications are open until the position is filled. Keywords: Sustainable Mining, Copper, In-Situ Recovery, Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Chemistry, Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Analytical Techniques.

Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia is offering three fully funded PhD scholarships in an industry-linked ARC-funded research program in partnership with BHP. The project theme is Copper: From Ore to Flowsheet , spanning the full copper value chain from ore geology and mineralogy through extractive processing and impurity management to techno-economic and life cycle assessment. These PhD positions are designed for candidates with strong interests in economic geology, geometallurgy, extractive metallurgy, applied chemistry, materials characterisation, process modelling, sustainability, and resource assessment . The program is deliberately interdisciplinary and includes three parallel PhD projects: Project 1 focuses on copper ore mineralogy and economic geology, looking at ore types, alteration, textures, geochemistry, and element deportment to understand how geology controls ore and concentrate quality and downstream processing behaviour. Project 2 investigates copper concentrates, aiming to improve metal recovery, valuable by-product recovery, and impurity removal through extractive metallurgy, separation chemistry, reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and microanalytical characterisation. Project 3 develops integrated copper processing flowsheets using techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment, assessing costs, emissions, energy scenarios, and robustness under realistic ore and concentrate variability. The successful applicants will join a cohort of three PhD students, a postdoctoral fellow, and Honours students working with scientists at Murdoch University and BHP. The research environment includes major analytical and characterisation infrastructure such as in situ PXRD/SAXS, SEM-EDS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, TGA/DSC, Raman spectroscopy, and access through formal agreements to the facilities at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University. The group also has access to advanced national-scale facilities including the Australian Synchrotron and the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. Funding is generous and clearly defined. Each scholarship includes a tax-free living stipend of AUD $37,000 per year for three years , with a possible six-month extension subject to satisfactory progress. Tuition fees are fully covered: domestic students pay no tuition fees, while international students receive a tuition fee waiver valued at approximately AUD $44,000 per year for up to four years . The project also provides operating funds for equipment, consumables, analytical work, conference travel, and facility access where relevant. The university is seeking applicants with a suitable master’s-level or equivalent background, strong research potential, and good communication skills. Relevant academic backgrounds include geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering, applied chemistry, process engineering, environmental engineering, industrial ecology, and related fields. English language proficiency meeting Murdoch University HDR admission requirements is required where applicable. Applications are due by 31 August 2026 . Candidates must email a single application to the principal supervisor of their first-choice project, with a CV, transcripts, English test report if available, and a cover letter of up to 400 words explaining the chosen project, motivation, and an initial approach to the open question. Applicants may also name a second-choice project in the cover letter. This is a strong opportunity for students wanting industry-linked doctoral training in copper processing, mineral systems, and sustainable resource development in one of Australia’s major mining and research hubs.

PhD opportunity at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia in copper concentrates , extractive metallurgy , separation chemistry , impurity management , mineralogy , geochemistry , and materials science . This funded PhD project asks how mineralogical information can be translated into selective chemistry that improves metal recovery while safely managing deleterious elements in copper concentrates. The work combines laboratory-scale extractive metallurgy experiments with advanced mineralogical and microanalytical characterisation, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and solution analysis, to understand reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and process conditions. The project is based at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia , within the Sustainable Geochemistry & Mineral Sciences (GeMS) group. It is part of an industry-linked ARC-funded copper research program in partnership with BHP, with access to extensive analytical infrastructure and collaboration with researchers and industry scientists. Funding: fully funded scholarship with a tax-free stipend of AUD 37,000/year for 3 years, possible 6-month extension, full tuition coverage, and additional research support for equipment, consumables, analytical work, conference travel, and visits to major facilities such as the Australian Synchrotron and the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. Eligibility: applicants should have a strong background in chemistry, chemical/metallurgical/process engineering, materials science/engineering, mineralogy, geochemistry, or a related field; a First Class Honours degree, a research-intensive Master's degree, or equivalent; and evidence of strong research potential. English proficiency meeting Murdoch HDR requirements is needed where applicable. How to apply: email Professor Fang Xia at [email protected] with a CV, transcripts, English test report if available, and a cover letter (max 400 words) addressing the open question and your initial experimental approach. Apply by 31 August 2026 .