2026 PhD Scholarship in Advancing proton conductors at Deakin University

Supporting a PhD candidate to develop and test PFAS-free, high-temperature proton-conducting polymers for next-generation hydrogen fuel cells.

This PhD project aims to design, synthesise, and evaluate PFAS-free, high-temperature proton-conducting polymers for use as both membrane materials and electrode binders in hydrogen fuel cell systems. The student will:

• Synthesise novel polymer architectures in collaboration with CSIRO,
• Fabricate and characterise membranes to determine structure–property–proton-transport relationships, using advanced characterisation techniques available at Deakin University.
• Identify the fundamental proton conduction mechanism under anhydrous, elevated-temperature conditions using spectroscopy techniques such as NMR and Raman
• Assess membrane and binder performance in fuel-cell-relevant environments using Hycel testing facilities.

The ultimate goal is to deliver a new class of environmentally safe, thermally robust, and electrochemically efficient materials for next-generation hydrogen technologies.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 27, 2026
• Value$37,450
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorDeakin University
• City to studyVictoria
• School to studyDeakin University
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

This scholarship is available over three years and offers:

• a stipend of $37,450 per annum tax exempt

Requirements

To be eligible you must:

• meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
• enrol full time
• hold an honour's degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component
• be an international student.

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.

Application Documents

• CV
• Academic transcript
• Example of written work, such as journal article, report or student assignment

Check also:
ANU Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 2026
University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please email your CV, academic transcript and example of written work, such as journal article, report or student assignment, to Dr Faezeh Makhlooghiazad: [email protected]. Your CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience.
• If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal application.

For more information, kindly visit the Deakin University Scholarship webpage.