PhD Projects

The multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute melds innovative engineering and applied physics to build advanced technologies for businesses worldwide.

Postgraduate opportunities
We have PhD projects available within most research areas. Our students build industry-ready skills alongside their academic research, and have opportunities to work with industry to develop their technology. Fully-funded scholarships are available for outstanding international and domestic students; these scholarships cover full tuition fees, insurance, and pay an annual tax-free stipend minimum $30 000 NZD (as of 2022) for up to three years. Further information is available on our website.

Research areas

• Superconducting motors for electric aircraft;
• Zero carbon steel production;
• Electric thrusters for space propulsion;
• Next-generation portable MRI systems;
• Applied physics of superconductors;
• Development and characterization of HTS wires;
• Fibre-sensing technologies;
• Applications of novel magnetic materials.

What we are looking for
We welcome curious thinkers with a passion for creating a sustainable future. Our close-knit, collaborative team of scientists, engineers and students have a variety of backgrounds, both in expertise and experience.