Apply Now: New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light at Flinders University 2025

Electrocatalysis and photocatalysis are powerful techniques that have expanded the field of organic synthesis particularly over the last 15 years. Combining these techniques into a single process, termed electrophotocatalysis, has recently emerged as an exciting new approach to synthesis. Electrophotocatalysis enables consecutive activation of the same catalyst from two complimentary energy sources, electricity and light, to produce powerful redox agents. This allows access to new modes of activation that enable the production of molecules that cannot be readily accessed in any other way and facilitates the production of libraries of molecules such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, textiles and more.

This project aims to advance electrophotocatalysis by optimising the electrochemical and photophysical properties of some of these catalysts, particularly targeting those that catalyse redox transformations. The new catalysts will be evaluated to increase fundamental understanding of the electrophotocatalytic processes involved and used to discover new synthetic methodology and provide sustainable access to large libraries of molecules.

• Table of Content
• About Flinders University
• New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light
• Aim and Benefits of New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light
• Requirements for New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Flinders University

Flinders University is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century. Flinders is a verdant university[citation needed] and a member of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) Group and ranks in the 10-16 bracket in Australia and 36th in the world of those established less than 50 years. Academically, the university pioneered a cross-disciplinary approach to education, and its faculties of medicine and the humanities are ranked amon... continue reading

New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light

Aim and Benefits of New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light

2024 rate $33,990, indexed each year. Standard tenure min 3 years, max 3.5 years.

Other benefits and opportunities include:

• Joining a vibrant and collaborative research community
• Access to newly opened state-of-the-art synthesis labs
• Opportunities for participation in scientific conferences
• Mentorship to support long-term career goals

Requirements for New Catalysts to Harness Electricity and Visible Light Qualification

• Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
• The scholarship is open to Australian and international candidates
• Research must be undertaken on a full-time basis
• Applicants must  have been awarded a First Class Honours degree or hold equivalent qualifications or relevant and substantial research experience in an appropriate sector
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong research and analytical skills

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Contact Dr Thomas Nicholls to discuss your suitability and the projects requirements. Include your CV and enter the title of the project into the subject line

For more details, visit Flinders University website.