ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals

Position Summary

The Monash node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals is seeking Ph.D. candidates to contribute to this project of National Significance. The candidate must be an Australian resident for tax purposes and hold a first-class undergraduate degree or equivalent.

The green economy, digital revolution, improved health, and living standards all depend on metals supplied at a minimal environmental cost. However, the declining grade of the more accessible minerals, increasing complexity of mineralogy, and the growing need to extract minerals from deeper mines, have reached a tipping point, making current practices technologically, economically, and environmentally unsustainable.

Opportunity to make a difference

The Centre will develop transformational technologies for enabling a competitive and environmentally sustainable future for Australia’s minerals industry through:

• Reduced environmental footprint
• Significant reductions in energy and water use
• Higher resource recovery
• Future leaders to support the sector

Project Outline

Understanding the non-covalent interactions between minerals and the polymeric materials used in froth flotation technologies is central to improving the performance of these so-called “collectors”. Through the design and structural engineering of ‘smart’ polymeric materials via the incorporation of responsive chemical functionality, we envisage controlling these interactions by applying an external stimulus or stimuli. Polymeric materials inspired by naturally occurring components that can be modified to respond to temperature, light, and pH will be synthesized and characterized by the candidate within the Monash node of the CoE.

Selection Criteria

Required

• H1 or equivalent in chemistry
• Strong synthetic chemistry skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities
• Lateral thinker with excellent organizational and communication skills
• Capacity to work independently and in a team

Desirable

• Knowledge of polymeric materials and spectroscopic techniques

Details

Academic Supervisors: Dr. Chris Ritchie and Prof. San Thang
Location: School of Chemistry, Clayton Campus, Monash University

Remuneration: Stipends are available for a minimum of three years and are subject to performance at a rate of A$29,500 (tax-free) p.a.

Contact: Chris.ritchie@monash.edu using subject line CoE Ph.D. Application