CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship: NOₓ production by plasma bubble reactor

Funding and duration

four year scholarship package totalling approximately $48,000 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate); four-year scholarship and research training program.

Project overview

Project title

NOₓ production by plasma bubble reactor.

Project description

This project explores a plasma bubble reactor, where tiny plasma‑filled bubbles are injected into water to create nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) directly from the air. Because the bubbles are so small, they provide a large contact area, making the process highly efficient at room temperature and without any fossil fuels.

NOₓ is a key building block for producing green ammonia: a clean fuel and essential fertiliser. Traditional methods for ammonia production are energy‑intensive and carbon‑heavy. This plasma‑based approach is modular, renewable‑powered, and suitable for decentralised applications, opening doors to sustainable agriculture and future clean‑energy systems.

The student will gain hands‑on experience with plasma science, reactor design, chemical analysis, and renewable‑energy technologies. It’s an opportunity to contribute to real‑world climate solutions while developing valuable skills for careers in clean energy, environmental engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

Supervisory team

University

Name of university supervisor | Aijun Huang

Name of university | Monash University

Email address | aijun.huang@monash.edu

Faculty | Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering

CSIRO

Name of CSIRO supervisor | Yunxia Yang

Email address | yunxia.yang@csiro.au

CSIRO Research Unit | Energy

Industry

Name of industry supervisor | Ming S Liu

Name of organisation | Dimer Technologies

Email address | ming.liu@dimer.com.au

Further details

Primary location of student | CSIRO Clayton North, 71 Normandy Road, Clayton North VIC 3168, Australia

Industry engagement component location | Dimer Technologies Pty Ltd, Level 27, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Ideal student skillset | Graduate Student with Chemical Engineering, chemistry and materials background.Basic laboratory skills and safe handling of experimental equipment.Interest in plasma science, chemical engineering, or renewable‑energy technologies (no prior plasma experience required).Problem‑solving and analytical thinking, especially in experiments involving gases, liquid chemistry, or reactors.Willingness to learn about reaction engineering, electrochemistry, or environmental technologies.Ability to collect, analyse and interpret data, including using simple software tools (Excel, Python or similar).Good teamwork and communication skills, with a proactive approach to hands‑on research.Curiosity and motivation to contribute to clean‑energy and sustainability challenges.

Application close date | Open until position filled

Apply | Monash