Biofouling Management of Maritime Assets (PhD scholarship)

Application dates

Applications close

31 May 2025

What you'll receive

• You will receive a scholarship of $38,982 per annum for a maximum duration of 3.5 years while undertaking this PhD project at QUT. This is the full-time, tax-exempt rate.
• A possible top-up scholarship of $5,000 per year (for three years) – conditional on DSI/QDSA approval.
• You will receive a tuition fee offset/sponsorship, covering the cost of your tuition fees for the first four full-time equivalent years of your doctoral studies.
• As the scholarship recipient, you will have the opportunity to work with a team of leading researchers in engineering asset management, to undertake your own innovative research in and across the field.
• The PhD candidate will be supported through the ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation Foundation Program including specialist training and development, and the opportunity to undertake a 12-month industry placement.

Eligibility

How to apply

Apply for this scholarship at the same time you apply for admission to a QUT Doctor of Philosophy

• The first step is to email Dr Ehsan Arzaghi detailing your academic and research background, your motivation to research in this field and interest in this scholarship, and include your CV.
• Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to arrange a short interview with the supervisory team and project advisors from BAE Systems.
• If you are nominated as our preferred scholarship recipient, you will be asked to submit an expression of interest (EOI) as outlined here at how to apply for a research degree.
• In your EOI, nominate Dr Ehsan Arzaghi as your proposed principal supervisor, and copy the link to this scholarship website into question two of the financial details section.

About the scholarship

This PhD project is part of the ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation bringing together six universities, ten industry partners and key regulatory bodies to deliver innovative research and biofilm solutions to tackle one of the biggest issues for the maritime and water industries. The PhD project will focus on developing quantitative methods for managing the risks associated with biofouling control techniques for naval fleets. It will evaluate strategies such as coatings and biofouling removal by considering factors including biofilm growth rates, application costs, vessel fuel efficiency, and ecological impacts. This project will be conducted in close collaboration with our industry partners in BAE Systems.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr Ehsan Arzaghi and provided with opportunities to engage in a dynamic environment with members of the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering at QUT as well as being supported by the academics and expert industries within the ARC Training Centre.