Molecular Design of Reversible Polymer Networks - QUT (Australia) & NTU (Singapore)

About the Project

What if you could design the molecular blueprint that dictates how a material behaves—down to when it holds together and when it comes apart?

We are offering a fully funded PhD project at the forefront of synthetic polymer chemistry and advanced materials design, centred on developing reversible polymer networks and remotely triggered systems. The core of this project lies in monomer design: creating molecular building blocks that encode function directly into the resulting polymer network, enabling precise control over material properties and responsiveness.

This is more than materials synthesis—it is about establishing design principles that translate from molecular structure to macroscopic behaviour, unlocking polymer systems that are robust under use yet can be selectively deconstructed under controlled conditions.

A key feature of this PhD is its strong international and collaborative dimension. The successful candidate will undertake a fully funded research stay of up to 12 months at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. This provides a unique opportunity to gain experience across two leading research environments in Australia and Singapore, combining complementary expertise and facilities.

What you’ll do

• Design and synthesise functional monomers that encode responsiveness into polymer networks
• Develop structure–property relationships linking molecular design to material performance
• Explore remotely triggered and stimulus-responsive systems (e.g. light, heat, chemical signals)
• Work across synthesis, characterisation, and materials evaluation in a collaborative setting

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking candidates with:

• A strong background in synthetic organic chemistry or polymer chemistry
• Experience in laboratory-based research (synthesis, characterisation, or materials science)
• An interest in connecting fundamental chemistry with real-world material function

How to apply

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is appointed.

Please send a CV and a short letter of motivation to:

H.Frisch@qut.edu.au

Funding Notes

The scholarship is fully funded for up to 3.5 years and provides comprehensive financial support to successful candidates. This includes a living allowance stipend to assist with day-to-day expenses, a full tuition fee scholarship, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).