At the Heart of Innovation lies Collaboration
Cross-continental research collaborations open the door to new ideas, broader expertise, and greater impact. By working with partners around the world, we combine different perspectives, share resources, and tackle complex challenges together.
These partnerships create rich learning environments for PhD students. Through international co-supervision, hands-on experience in diverse settings, and access to global networks, students gain valuable skills that prepare them for successful careers in both academia and industry.
We set up a long-term partnership with the Max Plank Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.
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QUT/NTU – Joint Lab for Advanced Sustainable Materials
Established in 2024 by Prof. Prashant Sonar, this joint Lab is an opportunity for PhD scholars to embark on a unique joint PhD journey that combines academic excellence, global exposure, and practical relevance.
For its first year, the QUT-NTU Joint Programme is welcoming 4 research projects. Each PhD student will be spending up to 12 months at their partner institution.
Nature derived functional materials for sustainable electronics
PhD Candidate: Akshay Balachandran Supervisors: Prof Prashant Sonar (QUT), Prof. Xiaodong Chen (NTU)
A bug’s fat life: Lipid discovery in the microbial lipidome for nature-inspired materials
PhD candidate: Monica Liu Supervisors: Prof Stephen Blanksby (QUT), Prof. Xue Li Guan (NTU) and Prof. Nam-Joon Cho (NTU)
Development of diatomic metal catalysts for selective CO2 photoreduction into hydrocarbon fuels
PhD Candidate: Qian Xin Supervisors: A/P Xue Can (NTU), Prof Jingsan Xu (QUT)
Green energy demand
PhD Candidate: Aiji Zou Supervisors: Prof. Dong Zhilli & Prof. Wu Dongshuang (NTU); Dr. Michael Jones (QUT)
QUT/Max Planck Institute – Joint Lab on Nanocatalysis for Sustainable Chemistry
Within this Joint Laboratory we share aspirations for a greener world targeting catalysis research. We develop catalytic systems that allow for more sustainable manufacturing processes in Australia and Germany.
The joint laboratory offers research internship opportunities for PhD scholars at both institutions. It was co-established by Prof Jingsan Xu (QUT) and Prof Markus Antonietti, Director of the Colloid Chemistry Department of the MPIKG, located in the Potsdam-Golm Science Park in Germany.
Specifically, the laboratory aims to develop real-world applications in the following research fields:
- Novel nanocatalysts design, e.g. metal-organic frameworks, carbon and carbon nitride materials, molecular crystals
- High-value chemicals production: hydrogenation, oxidation, C-C coupling reactions, hydrogen evolution
- Solar-powered catalysis, light-matter interactions
- Flow reaction for higher production rates
- Advanced techniques for catalysts and processes characterization, e.g. in-situ techniques such as transient absorption, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, also in collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)