Āmiomio Aotearoa PhD Scholarship

We have a fully-funded PhD scholarship as part of the MBIE Endeavour project “Āmiomio Aotearoa: A Circular Economy for the Wellbeing of New Zealand”. The project is a collaboration between universities, research institutes, industry, community groups and government ministries hosted by the School of Engineering at Waikato University. It aims to pave the way through materials science, engineering, energy, economics, kaupapa Māori, business, law and regulation, social science and public policy for a more sustainable New Zealand.

As a PhD student at the University of Waikato, you would be focused on advancing sustainable manufacturing practices through the development and application of biocomposites. The successful candidate will explore the use of biopolymers, recycled thermoplastics, and natural fibres to formulate high-performance biocomposites suitable for large format 3D printing (furniture, small structures, interior design). The research will delve into multiple aspects of these materials, including their performance, printability, design optimisation, and life cycle assessment. This interdisciplinary project provides a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of materials science, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing technologies. We invite passionate and driven individuals to join our team and contribute to this transformative research endeavour.

Your ideal background:

• MSc/ME in a related Science/Engineering discipline
• experience with natural materials
• familiar with CAD design and 3D printing is a plus
• experience in life cycle assessment is a plus
• a willingness to learn, up-skill and work in multidisciplinary group
• a professional attitude, good writing and time management skills
• resilience to take on the challenge of the research experience

A stipend of NZ$30,000 per year, domestic tuition fees and insurance, and support for research materials.

The general Higher Degrees admission criteria apply.

Candidates should hold a master’s degree in a related Science/Engineering discipline.

• CV including contact details for 2-3 referees (including at least one academic reference)

• Academic transcript from previous study undertaken (and thesis if available/applicable)

• A personal statement (max 1 page) describing your motivation, interests and background related to the research project

• English language Certificate where English is not the first language (IELTS/TOEFL)

For further information/confidential discussion or to apply contact Dr. Dalour Beg (mdhbeg@waikato.ac.nz) or Dr. Christian Gauss (cgauss@waikato.ac.nz) by 15 July 2024.