The University of Adelaide is pleased to invite expressions of interest for a PhD scholarship in renewable energy research. This opportunity, funded through an ARC Discovery Project, offers a three-year stipend scholarship to support pioneering research on wave energy converters. The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge experimental design and numerical modeling to better understand the hydrodynamic loads generated by large-scale wave energy devices. This project is a collaborative effort, with joint supervision from Dr. Nataliia Sergiienko at the University of Adelaide and colleagues at the University of Western Australia.

This research focuses on understanding the impact of large motions of wave energy converters on hydrodynamic loads and developing nonlinear hydrodynamic models. The successful candidate will be working on experimental design and wave flume testing of wave energy converters as well as development of accurate numerical models. 

The research is funded by the Australian research council as part of a discovery project. The PhD candidate will be jointly supervised by Dr Nataliia Sergiienko from the University of Adelaide, and Adi Kurniawan and Jana Orszaghova from the University of Western Australia.

Eligibility: 

Applicants must be domestic (Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia) or international students who are acceptable as candidates for a PhD degree at the University of Adelaide. 

Stipend: 

The scholarship will be for 3 years and has a stipend of $35,300 (indexed annually) per annum.

It is likely to be tax exempt, subject to Taxation Office approval. 

Enquiries: 

Contact Person: Dr Nataliia Sergiienko

School/Discipline of: Mechanical Engineering

Tel: (08) 8313 6465             Email: Nataliia.sergiienko@adelaide.edu.au 

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Expressions of interest should be submitted to Dr Nataliia Sergiienko as soon as possible, and no later than 13 June 2025, with the name of scholarship in the subject heading. Please ensure you include all of the following documents:

• Evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or Australian permanent resident status (if applicable)
• Degree certificates (testamurs)
• Academic transcripts
• Translations of non-English documentation
• Evidence of English language proficiency
• Curriculum vitae

IMPORTANT: This application is an “Expression of Interest” only because this is an externally funded award and the University has not yet secured the relevant funding from the external partner, although negotiations have commenced.

If funding is secured on terms satisfactory to the University, the successful applicant will then be issued with a formal offer letter. However, the University is under no obligation to provide the advertised EOI scholarship if funding is not secured from the external partner, in which case, all applicants will be notified.

The University makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties that the scholarship as advertised will proceed. You should seek independent advice in relation to any significant decisions that you intend to make in reliance on this advertisement.