Joint PhD opportunities

We are currently recruiting joint PhD candidates to join the Cookson Scholars. Each supervisory team oversees a pair of joint PhD projects on related, but separate research topics. One project’s home institution is the University of Melbourne and the other home institution is the University of Manchester.

Candidates spend a minimum of 12 months at both universities, providing a multidisciplinary cohort experience with other Manchester-Melbourne joint PhD candidates.

Joint PhD candidates will benefit from the collective resources, networks and expertise of supervisors at the University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester. Funding for each candidate will include tuition fees, a full living allowance (stipend), health insurance and travel allowance. At the successful completion of the program, each candidate will be eligible to receive a PhD, recognised by testamurs from each of the two universities.

To apply, decide on which projects below pique your interest and head to the how to apply page for details on the next steps.

Joint PhD opportunities

Correlating brain and systemic inflammation with peripheral and central neurodegeneration in mice and humans

One fully funded project using an experimental model of stroke to longitudinally measure inflammatory markers and immune cell activation in the brain, blood and eye at acute and long-term timepoints after stroke is available.
Correlating brain and systemic inflammation with ocular immune activation in mice and humans following stroke

One fully funded project on eye, brain and systemic correlates of inflammation is available.
Cysteinolic Acid Metabolism in Marine Algae and its Fate in Humans

One fully funded project on the structural and chemical biology of organosulfur metabolism is available.
Discovery of New Pathways for Marine Organosulfur Metabolism

One fully funded project on the chemical biology of organosulfur metabolism is available.
Investigating inflammatory and neuronal mechanisms driving cognitive dysfunction in mild traumatic brain injury (concussion).

One fully funded project on concussion is available.
Targeting neuroinflammation to limit neuronal cell damage in traumatic brain injury.

One fully funded project studying traumatic brain injury is available.
Bioinspired colourimetric sensors and indicators through photonic structures

One fully funded project is available opportunity to advance bio-inspired engineering and material development towards more cost-effective and greener material technologies for advanced applications.
Nature’s coloured materials and bioinspired applications

One fully funded project is available to investigate the microscopic structures that produce colour (and manipulate light more broadly) in beetles, with applications for bioinspired materials.
Publishing the Postcolonial 1960–present

One fully funded project is available to explore the evolution and continued relevance of postcolonial journals to the development of postcolonial studies.
An historical overview of postcolonial literary studies in Australia from 1970 to the present

One fully funded project is available to explore an historical overview of postcolonial literary studies in Australia from 1970 to the present
From Plantation Slavery to Imperial Labour: Exploiting Workers in Britain, India and Australia

One fully funded project is available to explore how economic thinking, colonial governance and business practice shifted to generate new forms of imperial labour in Britain and its empire between 1750 and 1850.
From Slavery to Settler Colonialism: Atlantic Capital and the Colonisation of the Port Phillip District

One fully funded project is available to explore how wealth and connections generated from the transatlantic business of slavery were used to establish and shape the settler colonial state of Victoria.
Tools for precision agriculture, climate resilience and environmental benefits

We are recruiting a joint PhD candidate to use machine-learning-based data analytics to model agroecosystem processes.
Improved decision making for fluoride removal from groundwater in Indian communities

We are recruiting a joint PhD candidate to develop user-friendly and cost-effective fluoride removal systems/filters adaptable for household or community use.
Developing a digital technology to meet the support needs of parents of young cochlear implant recipients

We are recruiting a joint PhD candidate to investigate the ways in which digital technology can support parents of children who received cochlear implants.

Propose your own joint PhD

If these joint PhD opportunities don’t align with your interests, you may also propose your own research project. Please contact potential supervisors directly to discuss project ideas and funding options. Contact details for our research staff, their areas of expertise and supervision availability are available here.