CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) scholarship
The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.
The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.
The Program includes:
- Admission to a university PhD program.
- Supervision by the participating university, CSIRO, and an industry partner.
- A 3.5 year scholarship package totalling approximately $47,000 per annum (2025 rate) with the possibility to extend up to 4 years.
- A four year Project Expense and Development package of $13,000 per annum.
- A 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner.
- A structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills.
Successful students are subject to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the participating university in addition to the CSIRO Industry PhD Program terms and conditions. Students will receive a standard PhD on completion.
Available projects
Compostable plastics
This Project aims to design and develop compostable plastics. The expected outcome is to produce new materials and compositions from sustainable sources to make plastics. This could benefit Australia to find new ways to make plastics that are sustainable and circular.
Supervisory team
University
Luke Connal
(ANU)
CSIRO
Ranya Simons
(CSIRO Manufacturing)
Industry
Stephanie Alison-Logan
(Sprout materials)
Primary location of student
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200
Other potential locations
CSIRO Clayton, Research Way, Clayton VIC 3168
Industry engagement component location
Sprout Materials, Stone & Chalk Adelaide Startup Hub, Marnirni-apinthi Building, Lot Fourteen, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Ideal student skillset
- Chemistry, chemical engineering or related degree
- Degree must be a minimum of 4 years with a substantial research project embedded
- Previous industry and polymer chemistry experience is desired
Application Close Date
Open until position filled
Developing multi-stress resilience in Brassica carinata through cisgenic and cisgenic-like strategies
Stacking multiple transcription factors, each regulating distinct sets of stress-responsive genes, enables simultaneous activation of several defence pathways. This results in a stronger and more coordinated response to major abiotic challenges such as frost, drought, and salinity, thereby enhancing overall plant resilience. By using native carinata genes and promoters, this strategy aligns with cisgenic regulatory standards, which may reduce regulatory complexity and support faster deployment of improved, stress-tolerant varieties in commercial agriculture.
Supervisory team
Primary location of student
CSIRO Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, Clunies Ross Street, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
Other potential locations
Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Industry engagement component location
Nufarm Limited, 5 Ballinger Street, Horsham VIC 3400, Australia
Ideal student skillset
Essential:
- Bachelor of Science (Honors) or master’s in molecular biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Synthetic biology, or related discipline.
- Demonstrable knowledge of 'Design-Build-Test-Learn' principles and experience in construct design, cloning techniques, and general molecular biology and stress physiology.
- Good oral and written communication skills and ability to work within a multi-institutional and dispersed team.
- Attention to detail and demonstrated experience of accurate recording and analysis of data.
Desirable:
- Demonstrable knowledge or skills in bioinformatics.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skills for HSE and PC2 compliance.
Application Close Date
Open until position filled
Contact
Eligibility Requirements
The student must:
- Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
- Meet participating university PhD admission requirements.
- Meet university English language requirements.
- Not have previously completed a PhD.
- Be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer.
- Enrol as a full-time PhD student. Part-time arrangements may be considered if approved by the supervisory team and in accordance with university policy.
- Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that the host university has approved and, if required, comply with the host university’s external enrolment procedures.
- Be prepared to undergo onboarding to CSIRO, which will include passing mandatory government background checks (allow for between 4 to 8 weeks) and complete any other CSIRO requirements.
Application Process
- Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI).
- The EOI is assessed by the supervisory team and shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
- The supervisory team nominates a preferred applicant.
- The nominated applicant will be instructed to apply.
- The application is then assessed by the host university against PhD admission criteria.
- The university will issue a letter of offer for the program if all conditions have been satisfied.
Further information
General Program information:
- Visit the CSIRO website
- Contact the ANU Graduate Research Office
- Contact the iPhD team
Subscribe to the iPhD newsletter for up-to-date program information and announcements.
Project specific information:
- Contact the nominated supervisors for the project listed above.