PhD in catalysis for polymer synthesis and recycling
The University of St Andrews and Macquarie University are pleased to offer a scholarship funded by both institutions to support an exceptional student undertaking doctoral research.
This scholarship supports a PhD project focused on developing new catalytic methods for polymer synthesis and recycling, using organometallic and heterogeneous catalysis.
Key details
- 20257861
- PhD
- Expressions of interest open now until 3 December 2025
- Domestic, International
- Engineering, science
- AUD39,700 (2026 rate, tax-exempt) while on Macquarie University campus; £19,775 per annum pro rata while on University of St Andrews campus with an annual uplift published by the University each year
About the scholarship
The project will involve the development of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis and recycling of renewable polyesters, polyamides and polyurethanes using the approach of catalytic dehydrogenation and hydrogenation.
The research will be jointly supervised by Dr Amit Kumar (University of St Andrews), whose group specialises in molecular organometallic catalysts, and Professor Yijiao Jiang (Macquarie University), an expert in recyclable heterogeneous catalysts. By uniting expertise from chemistry and engineering, the project will explore how to immobilise highly active catalysts on solid supports to enable both efficient depolymerisation and catalyst recyclability – two critical steps towards making chemical recycling economically viable.
The PhD student will receive interdisciplinary training across both universities, developing skills in synthetic chemistry, catalyst immobilisation, materials characterisation, polymer degradation, and process scale-up.
This project 'Development of new catalytic processes for the synthesis and recycling of polymers' will be co-supervised by Professor Yijiao Jiang and Dr Amit Kumar.
Eligibility
Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met.
For St Andrews, please refer to details of how to apply and of entry requirements here.
For Macquarie University, please refer to the PhD entry and English language requirements, and graduate research scholarship eligibility criteria.
Mode of study
Full-time
Year of entry
2026-2027 academic year (St Andrews), 2026 academic year (Macquarie).
Students will enrol at both institutions from the outset. In terms of their location for study, the entry point for students beginning at St Andrews is 27 September. If beginning at Macquarie, entry point is 1 October.
Additional criteria
Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews, Macquarie University, or another institution.
Duration of award
Up to three and a half years. The student will be expected to spend half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.
Funding
Funding arrangements are made on the basis that:
For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarships will comprise a full tuition fee award and an annual stipend paid at a rate set by the University of St Andrews. For 2025-2026, the stipend is £19,775 p.a., with an annual uplift published by the University each academic year.
Macquarie will fund a living allowance scholarship per position at an annual rate of AUD39,700 (2026 rate, tax exempt), paid pro-rata while the student is in Australia. A tuition fee scholarship will be granted for the period of joint enrolment up to 42 months.
Macquarie will also provide an airfare allowance for flights between the UK and Australia up to a maximum of $4,000 AUD to be arranged by the Graduate Research Academy.
Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:
- any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees
- a research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses
- support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.
Expressions of interest open now until 3 December 2025.
Students are to submit their EOIs to the MQ and St Andrew’s supervisor and cc gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au. The participating schools at St Andrews and the Graduate Research Academy at Macquarie in coordination with the academic supervisors will be expected to complete the selection process.
EOI documents to be submitted:
- CV including information about publications
- transcripts of most relevant or recent degrees
- information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight or 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.
The Global Office at St Andrews will work with the Graduate Research Academy at Macquarie to arrange official notification of scholarship awards, invite scholarship awardees to formally apply for admission to both universities by mid-January 2026, and conclude contractual arrangements which must be in place prior to the start of the degree.
Students who are nominated for the award will be asked to formally apply for the relevant PhD course code and Cotutelle/joint PhD scholarship through the MQ application portal.