Australian Research Council

PhD scholarship opportunity at The University of Queensland for a domestic student project on micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water. The research is based at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) and is supervised by Dr Elvis Okoffo (ARC DECRA Research Fellow).

The project investigates how micro- and nanoplastics enter drinking water systems, their sources and environmental pathways, how they behave through water treatment processes, and how they can be detected and removed using advanced analytical techniques. The work sits at the intersection of environmental science, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, and public health.

Research methods and facilities include pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), FTIR, Raman, O-PTIR, and clean laboratory trace contaminant analysis. The project also offers collaboration opportunities with national and international researchers, access to environmental samples and datasets, and a multidisciplinary research environment with more than 30 HDR students working on environmental contaminants.

Funding is strong: the scholarship includes a tax-free living stipend of AUD 37,500 per year (2026 rate, indexed annually), tuition fees covered, and a top-up of AUD 5,000 per year for three years. This is a fellowship support scheme scholarship project aligned with an Australian Government grant.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should have a strong academic record and preferably experience in environmental science, analytical chemistry, environmental sampling, laboratory-based experimental techniques, water quality, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, microplastics research, or programming. The opportunity is not available to international students.

Application is via expression of interest (EOI) for the PhD program. Candidates must commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2027, and should submit the EOI by the relevant research-quarter closing date. For questions, contact Dr Elvis Okoffo at [email protected].