If you would like more information or have any questions about this scholarship, please contact the project supervisors.
Dr Faezeh Makhlooghiazad
Email: f.makhlooghiazad@deakin.edu.au
Ph: +61 3 924 45166
Advancing proton conductors for High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Applications will close on Friday, 27 February 2026
Supporting a PhD candidate to develop and test PFAS-free, high-temperature proton-conducting polymers for next-generation hydrogen fuel cells.
Key details
Project supervisor
Deakin school and faculty
Additional supervisors
Dr Nino Malic
Associate Professor Michael Pereira
Location
Burwood Campus
Value and duration
This scholarship is available over three years and offers:
- a stipend of $37,450 per annum tax exempt
Research aim
This PhD project aims to design, synthesise, and evaluate PFAS-free, high-temperature proton-conducting polymers for use as both membrane materials and electrode binders in hydrogen fuel cell systems. The student will:
- Synthesise novel polymer architectures in collaboration with CSIRO,
- Fabricate and characterise membranes to determine structure–property–proton-transport relationships, using advanced characterisation techniques available at Deakin University.
- Identify the fundamental proton conduction mechanism under anhydrous, elevated-temperature conditions using spectroscopy techniques such as NMR and Raman
- Assess membrane and binder performance in fuel-cell-relevant environments using Hycel testing facilities.
The ultimate goal is to deliver a new class of environmentally safe, thermally robust, and electrochemically efficient materials for next-generation hydrogen technologies.
Background information
Hydrogen technologies, such as fuel cells, electrolysers, and emerging proton-based energy systems require proton-conducting membranes and catalyst-layer binders that are thermally stable, durable, and capable of operating without humidification. Current commercial membranes are based on perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) polymers, which suffer from limited high-temperature performance, water-dependence, and increasing regulatory pressure due to environmental persistence. To enable next-generation hydrogen systems operating at intermediate-to-high temperatures, new PFAS-free polymers with high proton conductivity and excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical stability are urgently needed. This PhD project is part of a joint research program between CSIRO, Hycel Technology Hub (Deakin University), and Institute for Frontier Materials (Deakin University), combining national capability in polymer design, membrane engineering, and hydrogen system testing. The project will span the full innovation pipeline:
- Polymer design and synthesis in collaboration with CSIRO to create new anhydrous proton-conducting polymers.
- Membrane development and advanced characterisation at Deakin to uncover the mechanisms of proton transport in these novel materials.
- Application studies using Hycel facilities evaluating the polymers as membranes and as proton-conducting binders in cathode catalyst layers.
This industry-aligned, interdisciplinary project addresses a critical materials gap in Australia’s hydrogen technology strategy.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible you must:
- meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
- enrol full time
- hold an honour's degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component
- be an international student.
Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.
Ready to apply?
Please email your CV, academic transcript and example of written work, such as journal article, report or student assignment, to Dr Faezeh Makhlooghiazad. Your CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal application.
Research degree entry requirements
Set yourself up for success. Each type of Deakin research degree has specific entry requirements designed to ensure that graduate researchers are well prepared for the challenges of advanced study.
