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Research Opportunities

PhD, Honours, undergraduate and visiting projects in nanopore sensing, fabrication and machine learning at ANU.

01Why join

Build the instrument, record the signal, write the analysis

I lead nanopore biosensor development at the ANU Research School of Physics. Students fabricate membranes, record single molecules passing through them, and write the software that interprets the signals.

01

Laboratories

I co-manage three laboratories at the ANU Research School of Physics: nanopore sensing, nanopore fabrication and thin-film deposition.

Facilities
02

Collaborations

Projects connect to research partners such as The Ohio State University and GSI Helmholtz Centre, Darmstadt, and to beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron.

Partners
03

Track record

I have supervised 24 research students: 5 PhD (primary or associate), 3 Honours and 16 undergraduate or masters. An Honours student received the ANU University Medal in 2022.

Supervision
04

Funding

Scholarships and project support are available for strong candidates, and I write letters of support for external funding applications.

PhD funding

02Open positions

Four ways to join

Choose the path that matches your career stage. Each one ends with what to send me.

PhD programs

PhD positions open

Funded positions for 2026 intake

  • Nanopore
  • AI/ML

PhD research programs

PhD students in the group work on nanopore biosensing, machine learning for single-molecule signals, and the development of biomedical sensing devices.

Duration
3–4 years full-time
Funding
~AUD 40,000/year
Start
Flexible, year-round

Research areas

  1. 01.1Solid-state nanopore biosensors for disease detection
  2. 01.2AI/ML-powered diagnostic platforms
  3. 01.3Point-of-care medical devices
  4. 01.4Membrane technology for water treatment
  5. 01.5Single-molecule sensing techniques

Requirements

  • Master's degree or equivalent (H1 Honours for domestic)
  • Strong background in physics, engineering, or chemistry
  • Research experience via publications or thesis
  • English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ for international)

Benefits

  • Competitive scholarship covering tuition and living expenses
  • Travel funding for international conferences
  • Access to nanopore fabrication, sensing and thin-film laboratories
  • Industry engagement and career mentoring

How to apply. Use the form (PhD is preselected), then email your CV and academic transcripts.

Enquire about a PhD

Honours projects

Honours projects

ANU University Medal, 2022

  • Feb/Jul start
  • 1 year

Honours research projects

A year of full-time research on a project of your own. Honours work in the group has led to publications: Hancheng Shao (Honours 2022, ANU University Medal) is a co-author of the 2023 Small Methods paper on protein identification.

Duration
1 year full-time
Support
Project funding
Start
February or July
Track record
University Medal, 2022

Available projects

  1. 02.1Machine learning for nanopore signal analysis
  2. 02.2Fabrication of nanopore devices
  3. 02.3Biosensor development for pathogen detection
  4. 02.4Computational modeling of ion transport

What you'll gain

  • Hands-on research experience
  • Publication opportunities
  • Strong pathway to PhD programs
  • Professional network development

How to apply. Send a short note and CV: your degree, year of study and the kind of project you want.

Enquire about Honours

Undergraduate

Summer research

Paid summer scholarships available

  • AUD 600/week
  • 6–10 weeks

Undergraduate research

Start early with a paid summer research scholarship or a for-credit research project during semester.

Summer scholars
6–10 weeks, paid
Projects
Course credit
Mentorship
Direct supervision

Summer scholarship program

ANU Summer Research Scholarships pay a stipend (about AUD 600 a week) for research over the summer break, a good way to try research before committing to Honours.

Requirements

  • Currently enrolled undergraduate student
  • Completed at least 2 years of study
  • Good academic standing (WAM 65+)
  • Interest in nanoscience, biotechnology, or AI

How to apply. Send a short note with your degree, year of study, WAM and the areas that interest you.

Enquire about undergraduate research

Visiting researchers

International visitors welcome

Current collaborators in Australia, Germany and the USA

  • Visa support
  • Flexible

Visiting researchers and collaborators

I host visiting researchers, postdocs and collaborators for short visits or longer stays on joint projects.

Duration
1 month to 1 year
Eligibility
International welcome
Type
Research collaboration
Support
Visa sponsorship

Who should apply

  • PhD students seeking international experience
  • Postdoctoral researchers interested in collaboration
  • Faculty members for research exchange
  • Industry researchers for joint projects

What we offer

  • Desk space and lab access
  • Integration with the research group
  • Collaboration on publications
  • Networking opportunities at ANU
  • Letter of support for external funding

How to apply. Include your institution, proposed dates and the research you would like to do together.

Enquire about a visit

03FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q1What scholarships are available for PhD students?
ANU offers several scholarship options including the ANU PhD Scholarship, Australian Government RTP, and various international scholarships. I can provide letters of support for external funding applications.
Q2Can I apply if I don't have research experience?
For Honours and undergraduate positions, prior research experience is not required but is beneficial. For PhD applications, some research experience is typically expected, though this can include thesis work or industry projects.
Q3What is the typical response time?
I aim to respond to all applications within 2–3 weeks. If your application is shortlisted, you'll be invited for an informal discussion or interview.
Q4Do you accept international students?
Yes. I welcome international students and have supervised students from several countries. International scholarships are competitive but available.
Q5What makes a strong PhD application?
Clear research interests aligned with the group's focus, evidence of research potential (publications, thesis), a strong academic record, and clear written English.
Q6Can I visit the lab before applying?
Yes. If you're in Canberra, write to me to arrange a lab visit. I can also arrange a video call for international applicants.

Next step

Tell me which project interests you

Send a short note and your CV. The contact form opens with the path you were reading already selected.

Get in touchView research areas

Other routes