Research scholarships

Full title: Inhaled therapy innovation for lung cancer treatment scholarship

The home institution will evaluate these designs in the laboratory and, where appropriate, in animal models to measure:

• how effectively boron is delivered to tumours
• how safe and effective the treatment could be when combined with neutron irradiation.

The PhD candidate will gain expertise in aerosol flow and will investigate how BNCT agents can be deposited in the lungs efficiently using novel experimental platforms and computational models.

The overarching goal of the research is to:

• improve tumour targeting
• reduce whole-body exposure
• help bring this next-generation treatment closer to clinical use.

Availability

The scholarship is available to candidates eligible to undertake a direct entry PhD program at Macquarie University and National Tsing Hua University, full-time, commencing in:

• February or September 2027 (if beginning on campus at NTHU)
• 1 October 2027 (if beginning on campus at Macquarie).

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met:

• for NTHU, see how to apply and entry requirements.
• for Macquarie, see PhD entry and English language requirements and graduate research scholarship eligibility criteria.

Desirable/project specific criteria:

• background in biomedical or chemical engineering, medical physics or a related discipline. Applicants with a background in mechanical engineering and a keen interest in acquiring knowledge in tissue and animal research are welcome to apply.
• experience with computational modelling (eg CFD, particle tracking or airflow/aerosol simulations) is desirable.
• familiarity with lung or respiratory biomechanics, aerosol science or inhaled drug delivery (through coursework or research) is advantageous.
• some experience with laboratory experiments (eg fluid mechanics rigs, imaging, cell assays) and an interest in learning new experimental techniques.
• demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, ideally at the interface of engineering and health/medical research.
• strong written and verbal communication skills, with an interest in publishing and presenting research.

Applicants who are already enrolled in a doctoral degree at the NTHU or Macquarie may be considered for the position if they have a minimum of 24 months left in their PhD candidature at the time of joint enrolment (September/October 2027).

Applicants must not already:

• hold a doctoral degree
• be matriculated for a doctoral degree at another institution.

Components

The total joint enrolment period at both universities is no more than 36 months and no less than 24 months. Students must spend a minimum of 12 months on each university campus, and on-campus periods should be split roughly equally.

Macquarie components:

• iMQRES tuition fee scholarship (international students) or tuition fee offset (Australian domestic students) for the duration of the student’s enrolment at Macquarie until the expected thesis submission date, in accordance with the scholarship conditions of award
• stipend at an annual rate of $39,700 AUD (2026 rate, tax exempt) paid pro-rata while the student is located on campus at Macquarie
• airfare allowance up to a maximum of $4000 AUD for the student between Taiwan and Sydney, subject to Macquarie’s travel policy.

NTHU components:

• NTHU tuition fee scholarship for the duration of the student’s enrolment at NTHU, in accordance with the scholarship conditions of award
• for Macquarie student: NTHU will provide a dual PhD degree scholarship NTD 15,000 per month while the student is at NTHU up to 24 months and a NTHU tuition fee scholarship will be granted
• for NTHU student: NTHU will provide dual PhD degree scholarship NTD 11,000 per month while the student is in Australia up to 24 months. While studying at NTHU, students may apply for additional sources of funding. For more detailed information, contact the relevant departments directly.

How to apply

Call for expressions of interest (EOIs) close on Sunday 31 January 2027.

Applicants should submit an EOI for the global PhD project via email directly to both supervisors:

• Associate Professor Shaokoon Cheng shaokoon.cheng@mq.edu.au (Macquarie)
• Associate Professor Chi-Shuo Chen chen.cs@mx.nthu.edu.tw (NTHU).

Use the subject line: Inhaled therapy innovation for lung cancer treatment scholarship

EOI documents to submit:

• CV including information about publications
• transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees
• information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall)
• statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)
• indication that the student meets the English language requirements for entry into a PhD program at both universities, or willingness to obtain relevant English language proficiency test results.

Full application:

• the preferred candidate will be invited to submit a formal application to both institutions. At NTHU, candidates submit the application form for dual degree program to the Office of Global Affairs at gac@my.nthu.edu.tw. At Macquarie, candidates apply for the PhD program and the cotutelle/joint PhD scholarship through the online application portal.
• upon formal application, the Macquarie Global Programs team and NTHU Office of Global Affairs draft and finalise the student agreement. Enrolment is subject to formal offer, acceptance and agreement finalisation at Macquarie.
• all relevant entry and immigration requirements for both institutions must be met.