PhD Scholarship in Decarbonisation of Lithium Refineries

Project title: 

Decarbonising the production of Lithium chemicals from spodumene ores in Australia

3 years full-time appointment

$40,000 pa indexed annually.

Darwin

About the Opportunity

In your PhD project, you will invent technologies and help to implement them to decarbonise the production of Lithium chemicals, especially lithium hydroxide, refined from spodumene ores in Australia. At present, these ores fulfill 55 % of the worldwide demand for lithium. You will work closely with your academic supervisors at Charles Darwin University (Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski and Dr David Ompong) and the industrial advisor at Tianqi Lithium Kwinana in Perth (Dr Hazel Lim). You will be immersed in a highly productive research environment, focussed on outcomes, interacting daily with your supervisors and advisors and other PhD Scholars. Your work will make great practical impact on avoiding the emissions of large amounts of CO2 in Australia and improving the competitiveness of advanced Australian manufacturing industry. Initially, in your research, you will target the most energy intensive steps in converting spodumene to lithium hydroxide, such as the calcination of spodumene concentrate. Currently, this step comes to pass in rotary kilns fired by natural gas, operating at 1100 °C, demanding about 3 GJ/(t spodumene concentrate). During your PhD you will hold HDR Internship at Tianqi Lithium Kwinana’s R&D Laboratory in Perth. To undertake this project, you will need to have a Hon 1 degree in Chemistry, Physics or Mineral Science or a Bachelor Honours (4-year) Degree in Chemical, Metallurgical, Energy, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or in a closely related field, with you graduating in the top 5-10 % of your class.

Scholarship details

• Scholarship: $40,000 a year, for three years ($120,000). See the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
• Generous relocation allowances (flights, temporary accommodation on arrival)
• Start time: Between January 5 and March 31 in 2024, extended, if possible.

How to assess your suitability:

Essential criteria

1. Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident; or a New Zealand Citizen

2. First-Class Honours, Masters by Research, or equivalent.

3. A high distinction on an undergraduate honours/postgraduate research project, or graduated in the top 5- 10% of their class (or achieved a GPA of more than 85%)”

Desirable criteria

At least one publication equivalent to the top 25% in the field

How to Apply

To submit an expression of interest, please send the following to Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski at ***************@cdu.edu.au

· A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability (max two pages)

· A curriculum vitae, including a list of any peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and relevant work and/or research experience

· A brief statement not exceeding 500-words in length that explains why you are interested in this research project/area

· Transcripts of your marks from your University courses

IMPORTANT

The supervisor will invite applicants who pass the expression of interest stage to submit scholarship applications before the closing date. Please do not submit any applications unless you are invited by the supervisor

Please do not select the ‘Apply’ button

Enquiries:

For further enquiries, please contact Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski on 0408 965 *** or email ***************@cdu.edu.au.

For further information about the CDU Domestic Excellence Scholarships 2023 visit https://outstanding-researchers.cdu.edu.au/

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