Graduate research engineering

Start your research journey in Deakin’s School of Engineering

Create innovative engineering solutions that transform the future alongside world-renowned supervisors and long-standing industry partners. At Deakin, you'll have access to state-of-the-art engineering facilities including our high voltage, renewable energy, structural engineering, and additive manufacturing labs. Become an expert in your field with unique research training that equips you for diverse career that makes a meaningful impact.

Advance the frontier of engineering in a diverse range of specialised research areas, including:

smart power, microgrids and high voltage
aerosols, biofluids, emissions and thermal energy
engineered timber and renewable structures
geotechnics and underground infrastructure
water resource and asset management
environmental chemistry and climate resilience
advanced robotics and mechatronics
smart sensing and the internet of things
safe mobility, transport and automation
biomedical systems design
instrumentation, measurement and control systems
materials science and engineering
motion simulators and human performance.
the water-energy nexus.

Researcher satisfaction

#1 university in Victoria for higher degree research overall satisfaction

Research quality

#5 university in Australia for research quality

Interdisciplinary research

#3 university in Australia for interdisciplinary science research

Sources

Deakin engineering research student working on a surfboard on campus.

From lab to line-up

Sam combined his passion for surfing with his background in materials engineering to pursue a PhD with real-world impact – for surfers.

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Deakin engineering research student Mia talking and smiling in a campus lab.

Building blocks of tomorrow

Mia is a graduate researcher at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials, exploring a new class of nanomaterials helping shape the future of advanced materials and devices.

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Find your perfect match

Finding the right supervisor will help to unlock your research potential. There are more than 130 world-class researchers across Deakin’s School of Engineering, Institute for Frontier Materials, and Institute for Intelligent Systems available to supervise your research degree or PhD.

Search our directory by name, research area or keyword.

Check their potential supervisor profile for availability, research strengths and even current PhD students.

Contact them to express interest in their research or specific project.

Discover our research institutes and centres

Research in the School of Engineering takes place in large centres and institutes, and bespoke subject-oriented labs.

Browse our research groups

Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials

If your passion is in chemistry, metallurgy, textile science, engineering or molecular modelling, join our world-class materials science research institute.

Solve global problems through material design

Deakin Institute for Intelligent System

If you’re interested in robotics, haptics, autonomous systems, visualisation, machine learning or human-computer interfaces, join Australia's largest research team in systems modelling and simulation.

Bring intelligent innovation to commerce and industry

Fund your future: find a research scholarship

Big ideas need backing, not barriers. PhD scholarships cover tuition and a tax-free stipend of at least $37,450 per year (indexed annually). Many also offer extra funding, travel, and relocation support.

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment has more than 100 scholarships available for 2027, including government- and Deakin-funded scholarships, and those attached to specific projects and partners. Eligibility criteria and application dates vary.

Find a scholarship

Your research career starts here

Ready to change the world? If you’ve locked in a supervisor, found a suitable scholarship and satisfied the entry requirements, it’s time to start your research proposal, and apply online through the ResearchPoint portal.

Don’t delay: applications for 2027 PhD projects close on 27 October 2026. Scholarship applications close even sooner.

Apply for a research degree

Research stories

Wonderful stories of what’s possible with a research degree from Deakin.

Deakin research supervisor showing research student how a steering wheel functions.

Graduate research can be a seriously exciting opportunity, but it all starts with finding the right supervisor to guide your journey.

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How to find a supervisor

Deakin research student holding a machine part.

Scholarships provide vital support to you need to focus everything you’ve experienced on a topic you’re passionate about.

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The benefits of a scholarship

Limna is exploring how advanced biomaterials can be translated into healthcare solutions. She shares what the PhD experience really looks like.

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What is it like doing a PhD?

Deakin research student Asher smiling in front of wall of books.

How advanced research facilities helped Asher turn ideas into impact

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New heights in robotics and simulation

Nanotubes on a chip being worked on with a metal utensil.

Deakin researchers at the Institute of Frontier Materials are scaling up tiny nanotubes with huge potential to transform manufacturing, materials and future technologies.

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Tiny tech, global impact

Parent pouring a glass of water with a child using a tap with a water filter.

A Deakin-designed filter cartridge could help deliver safer drinking water with less waste, lower pressure and long-lasting performance.

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Filtering the future of clean water

Two Deakin research students smiling and walking on stairs on campus.

What does a day in the life of a PhD student or graduate researcher look like?

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A graduate researcher’s journey

Frequently asked questions

What makes a good PhD supervisor?

A good supervisor challenges your thinking, provides constructive feedback, listens carefully and helps you develop as a researcher. Look for supervisors who are engaged, responsive and committed to guiding your progress.

Find a research supervisor

Can I have multiple supervisors?

Yes. At Deakin, you’ll be supported by at least two supervisors throughout your PhD candidature. Depending on your project, your supervisory team may include academics from multiple disciplines, and sometimes other universities.

Explore our directory of experts

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants are assessed on their current knowledge, academic achievements, relevant research experience, prior study such as honours, or other equivalent qualifications.

Research degree entry requirements

Can prior study, publications or experience count towards admission or credit?

Relevant honours qualifications, prior learning, professional experience or recent high-quality publications may support your application or be considered for recognition of prior learning, depending on the degree and eligibility criteria.

How long does a PhD take?

A PhD takes approximately three years full time, including research, coursework, training, development and thesis writing. Most research scholarships include an annual stipend for three years.

Am I entitled to leave during my research?

Yes. Graduate researchers are entitled to 20 days of annual leave, arranged with their supervisor. Many scholarship holders may also be eligible for paid personal, sick or parental leave, subject to scholarship terms and approval requirements.

Can I work while completing my research?

Many graduate researchers undertake paid work during candidature, provided it does not affect their research progress. Conditions vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international student, and whether you study full time or part time. International candidates must also meet visa requirements. Some graduate researchers also take on lecturing roles during their candidature.

Do I pay tuition fees?

If you’re an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder, you do not need to pay tuition fees.

If you hold a PhD scholarship, your tuition fees are typically covered for up to four years.

International applicants should check the relevant course pages for detailed fee information:

Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)

Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) Institute for Frontier Materials

Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) Institute for Intelligent Systems

Get in touch

Want to know more about a research degree in Deakin’s School of Engineering, Institute Frontier Materials or Institute for Intelligent Systems? Get in touch with the faculty research services team, and we’ll direct you to the relevant graduate research coordinator or subject matter expert.

Email the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment.