Growth SUPRA PhD Scholarship

Be at the forefront of Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing
Full-time, fixed-term (3.5 years) position at our Hawthorn campus
Stipend of $40,000 (2025 rate), indexed annually


Project Title: Edge Preparation, Surface Finish, and their effects using Stream Finishing Technology

About the Role
Are you ready to push the boundaries of smart machines, industrial automation, and advanced manufacturing? Join a pioneering PhD project in partnership with ANCA, a world leader in CNC grinding machines and motion control systems.

Supported by the prestigious Growth SUPRA PhD Scholarship, you'll join a dynamic research team at Swinburne University’s Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering. This PhD will provide a unique opportunity to conduct impactful research with real-world industry applications.

Your project will explore Stream Finishing, a cutting-edge surface engineering technology that offers unmatched precision and control over traditional methods. You’ll investigate how process parameters affect surface outcomes, benchmark against conventional techniques, and evaluate performance of the finished components.

You’ll also delve into intelligent automation and machine learning to optimise consistency and enable scalable, in-line manufacturing solutions. Your work will bridge advanced research with practical innovation for real industrial impact, especially in aerospace and biomedical industries.

What You’ll Gain
This fully funded PhD includes an annual stipend of $40,000 (2025 rate), indexed annually for the duration of your 3.5-year candidature. You'll also receive a tuition fee waiver for up to four years, ensuring your focus remains on producing impactful, high-quality research.

As part of this joint initiative between Swinburne University and ANCA, you will undertake at least two months of hands-on experience at ANCA’s advanced manufacturing facility. This internship will give you rare insight into how cutting-edge research is applied directly within a global industrial context and will enhance your professional and technical development.

This is more than a research project — it's an opportunity to help define a new frontier in manufacturing. Whether your passion lies in materials science, mechanical engineering, or intelligent systems, this PhD will allow you to merge theory with application in one of the most forward-looking areas of engineering today.

Take the next step in your research career with the support of leading academics, cutting-edge facilities, and a globally respected industry partner.

About You
We're after someone who’s curious, hands-on, and ready to dive into real-world research. Ideally, you’ll bring:

A good grasp of surface engineering, materials processing, or advanced manufacturing—whether that’s from university projects, previous research, or work experience.
Some practical lab or workshop experience, especially if you’ve used tools like SEM, profilometers, or hardness testers to analyse materials.
A knack for solving problems and thinking critically, with the confidence to work on your own and also pitch in as part of a team.
Strong communication skills, as you’ll be writing up your findings, presenting to others, and maybe even publishing your work, so being clear and confident really helps.
Some experience or familiarity with CNC machines, surface engineering or automated manufacturing systems.
An interest in machine learning or data analysis, especially if you’ve used it in engineering or process optimisation.
A collaborative mindset and the ability to work with industry partners; maybe you’ve done an internship, worked on a real-world project, or had exposure to applied research in a company setting.


Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with Honors or a Master’s degree (by research or with a significant thesis component) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or Manufacturing Engineering.

Applicants should also ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for entry into a Swinburne PhD program. Full details can be found here.

Additionally, International applicants must be currently in Australia and must provide evidence of one of the following:
IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 7+ (with a reading band no less than 18 and writing band no less than 20); or Pearson (PTE) 58 (no communicative skills less than 50) no longer than 24 months before submitting your application); or
Successful completion of a total of 24 months of formal study where the language of instruction and assessment was English at an approved university no longer than 60 months before submitting your application.


About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

To Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position as per the key selection criteria in the Position Description.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: Friday 11 July 2025, at 11.00pm (AEST)

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, ****** orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 +214 3550.

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.
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