The future global economy will be underpinned by technologies that depend on minerals such as such as lithium, nickel, copper, titanium and rare earth elements. These are essential to the advancement of many sectors, including renewable energy, high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport and defence. 

This research project, in partnership with Australian minerals processors, will utilise a unique multimodal imaging and characterisation workflow based on 3D X-ray CT coupled with various microscopic/spectroscopic techniques in the CTLab. The aim will be to develop an improved characterisation of Australian critical metal ore types and focus on the design of improved grinding/beneficiation/extraction processes required to produce critical minerals with improved cost and environmental outcomes. 

This project can be a whole year project (honours physics or engineering) where the student will focus on a single ore body/process or a PhD in Physics or Engineering where the student will look to develop improved characterisation/processing workflows across different ore deposit systems.  

Interest in materials science/physics/engineering/computational science.Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a wider national and international team.