This PhD project aims to advance innovative, non-invasive stress monitoring technologies by developing next-generation biochemical sensing platforms capable of detecting stress biomarkers in both sweat and breath.
During the project, the scholarship recipient will address the following objectives:
- identify and characterise key biochemical indicators of stress in human breath and sweat, including cortisol and other volatile or soluble biomarkers
- design and fabricate novel nanosensing platforms using materials such as porous functionalised metal oxides, graphene and carbon nanotubes to enable real-time, non-invasive detection with high sensitivity and specificity.
Key research questions include:
- What are the most reliable and detectable stress biomarkers in human breath and sweat relevant to communication-related stress?
- Which nanomaterials and sensing architectures yield optimal sensitivity, selectivity and response times?
- What are the bioengineering and hardware challenges in miniaturising and integrating such sensors into existing hearing technologies?
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
The program includes:
- admission to a Macquarie University PhD program
- supervision by Macquarie University, CSIRO and an industry partner
- a four-year scholarship package totalling approximately $48,000 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate)
- a four-year project expense and development package of $13,000 per annum
- a 60 day industry engagement component with the industry partner
- a structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.
Successful students are subject to:
- the policies, procedures and guidelines of Macquarie University
- the CSIRO industry PhD program terms and conditions.
Students will receive a standard PhD or MRes + PhD on completion.
Requirements
This scholarship is available to eligible candidates to undertake a:
- direct-entry three-year PhD, or
- four-year MRes + PhD program.
Check also:
2025 Faculty of Engineering International Tuition Fee Research Scholarship at The University of Sydney Australia
Scholarship winning strategies for 2026
Application Deadline
April 30, 2026How To Apply
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) to Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri at [email protected].
- The EOI is assessed by the supervisory team and shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
- The supervisory team nominates a preferred applicant and informs the iPhD office. The nominated applicant will be instructed to apply.
- The application is then assessed against our PhD admission criteria. We will issue a letter of offer for the program if all conditions have been satisfied.
For more information, kindly visit Macquarie University scholarship webpage.
