Overview

RMIT's modern, purpose-built and well-equipped facilities, including analytical instrumentation, will support your research.

The School of Science has expertise in molecular modelling, chemo-metrics and micrometeorology that has found applications spanning multiple research fields.

Under expert supervision, you will join researchers already active in:

• analytical chemistry (metabolomics, natural products extraction and identification)

•  separation science (focus on gas and liquid chromatography), flow injection analysis and mass spectrometry

• environmental analysis (air, soil and water quality; environmental contamination; biosolids; environmental toxicology)

• physical and materials chemistry (organic and inorganic synthesis, colloidal chemistry, functional surfaces, micro- and nano-technologies, nano-biotechnology, electrochemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis)

• interdisciplinary ecosystem restoration.

This PhD may be undertaken in a project, thesis with publication or thesis mode. Prospective candidates should discuss these modes of submission with their potential supervisors.

Research collaborations

Many of our research activities are conducted within these related research centres:

• Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry

• Centre for Molecular and Nanoscale Physics

• The School of Science’s researchers have a demonstrated record of success in collaborations, funding and research publications. 

Our research staff

You will work with researchers who are past and present winners of: 

• ARC Future Fellowships and DECRAs

• AGR Matthey Gold medal for outstanding contribution in the field of applied gold chemistry 

• RK Murphy Medal for Industrial Chemistry

• Silver Jubilee Medal of the Chromatographic Society, London

• CLRI Padmabhushan Dr Y Nayudamma Chemcon Distinguished Speaker Award (awarded by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers).

The majority of our research staff are Members and Fellows of professional societies including: 

• the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

• the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK

• the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

In the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia assessments, we were ranked at ‘well above world standard’ for physical chemistry and ‘above world standard’ for analytical chemistry.

Research support

Throughout your candidature, you will be supported through:

• expert supervision
• participation in high-quality professional development programs delivered by RMIT's School of Graduate Research
• access to RMIT's extensive facilities, laboratories and equipment and those of our partners.

Scholarships

Candidates may be eligible for a range of scholarships including:

• Australian Postgraduate Awards – funded by the Australian Government
• PhD and Research Masters Scholarships – funded by RMIT University
• PhD scholarships in computer science and IT – funded by the School of Science
• other postgraduate research scholarships.