Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

We have multiple fully funded PhD scholarships available for highly motivated candidates to undertake advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and machine learning research in chemical engineering processes.

Successful candidates will conduct cutting-edge numerical modelling research focusing on complex, multiphase and reacting flow systems relevant to chemical and metallurgical engineering applications. Depending on the specific project, your research may involve:

• CFD modelling of moving bed or packed bed reactors, with emphasis on multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer, and gas–particle chemical reactions relevant to chemical engineering applications.
• CFD modelling of smelting reactors, focusing on multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer, slag–metal chemical reactions, and phase change phenomena.
• Development of coupled CFD–machine learning frameworks to enhance model efficiency, prediction capability, and process optimisation.

Projects will be tailored to the candidate’s background and interests, with strong emphasis on fundamental understanding as well as industrial relevance.

First-Class Honours or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Processing Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field.

Suitably qualified applicants must meet the admissions requirements outlined in UWA's Handbook (link), and language requirements (link).

Strong interest in chemical engineering processes, metal extraction technology, and translating engineered strains into scalable production systems

Experience with (or strong aptitude for) numerical simulation work involving ANSYS Fluent, CFX, OpenFOAM, etc.

Applicants must have:

• Prior experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation.
• Evidence of research capability, such as peer-reviewed publications or strong potential to publish.

Interested applicants must submit an application with evidence of meeting eligibility via the HDR Application Portal.

If short-listed, applicants will be interviewed.

UWA reserves the right to close this opportunity if the positions are filled prior to the closing date.

for further information about the project, contact Dr Yiran Liu via email: yiran.liu@uwa.edu.au