Research Training Program

PhD Scholarship Opportunity at Western Sydney University in low-carbon calcined clay concrete for additive manufacturing, including 3D concrete printing.

The project sits within the ARC Research Hub for Infrastructure Net Zero and focuses on sustainable cementitious binders, printability, rheology, structural build-up, durability, and long-term performance of 3D-printed concrete materials. This is a strong fit for students interested in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Environmental Science.

Funding: tax-free stipend of AUD 35,188 per year for up to 3 years, plus RTP tuition fee offset and additional research support funding for approved costs.

Eligibility: domestic applicants only, including Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens. Applicants should have qualifications equivalent to an Australian First Class Honours degree, a coursework Master’s with substantial research component, a Research Master’s degree, or equivalent overseas qualifications. Strong academic background in construction materials, cement chemistry, structural materials, rheology, or additive manufacturing is preferred. Applicants should also be prepared to provide CV and academic transcripts, and may need IELTS or PTE results if English requirements are not already met.

How to apply: review the project criteria, submit an Expression of Interest via the Western Sydney University portal, and then complete the full application after EOI approval. The deadline is 30 June 2026.

Contacts: Prof. Zhong Tao and co-supervisors Dr. Md Abdul Alim and Dr. Utsab Katwal at Western Sydney University.