PhD Scholarship in Mineral Processing

Sustainable Minerals Institute - Julius Kruttschnitt Minerals Research Centre

The Julius Kruttschnitt Minerals Research Centre (JKMRC) is a world-renowned research and postgraduate education organisation, located at Indooroopilly in Brisbane, approximately 7 km from the main University of Queensland campus in St Lucia. JKMRC was established in 1970, and forms part of the UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI)

The mission of the SMI-JKMRC is to deliver world-class, customer-focussed education, research and technical services to the world minerals industry and allied sectors. The SMI-JKMRC has an international reputation for applied research in the areas of mineral processing and geometallurgy. It specialises in ore characterisation, mineral processing unit operations such as comminution and flotation, applied mineralogy, and the interface between mining and processing. Its emphasis on systems analysis by mathematical modelling and process simulations has led to major new methodologies in the design and optimisation of mineral processing operations. It works closely with the international minerals industry and with other research providers in Australia and overseas. It has graduated in excess of 200 Masters and PhD students and won many awards for its research. It has a proven record of technology transfer through JKTech, which has significant experience in the commercial delivery of JKMRC research outcomes, particularly in simulation software and ore characterisation methodologies. Further information about JKMRC can be found at http://www.jkmrc.uq.edu.au

The Role

SMI-JKMRC and Newcrest Mining Pty Ltd recently launched a collaborative project that supports the work of research higher degree students. Work is due to commence in January 2017 (or April 2017 in the event of student enrolment delays). The PhD project working title is Differential separation of high Au and low Au pyrite species in gold ores.

The aims of the project are firstly to investigate which of the potential process routes identified in the literature has the greatest potential as a method to create differential separation of the low Au grade and high Au grade pyrites present in rougher concentrate from a Newcrest gold ore.

The second objective is to identify for the chosen process route what process conditions provide the maximum benefit in terms of Au recovery and Au:S ratio in the differential separation of low Au and high  Au grade pyrite from the Newcrest gold ore.

The person

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with a minimum honours class IIA or equivalent. Please view the minimum level of academic achievement for PhD admission on the UQ Graduate School Research Degree page (http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our-research-degrees). Applicants must have an academic background in a field or discipline relevant to the area of mineral processing and ideally experience in sulfide mineral concentration through froth flotation, with proven capability of carrying out practical research. Applicants should have the ability to work autonomously and show initiative while also building a good rapport with site personnel from a range of disciplines. Strong analytical skills and familiarity with mass balancing software and Microsoft Excel are also highly desirable.

Scholarships

The living allowance scholarship will be offered at the standard Australian Postgraduate Award rate of AUD 26,288 per annum (based on 2016 rates and indexed annually) for three years with a possible six--month extension, and offered once only per successful applicant. The scholarship is tax-free for full-time candidates and is paid fortnightly, and includes leave allowances in accordance with the UQ Procedures 4.80.01 UQ Research Scholarships. The scholarship will commence upon successful enrolment in the PhD program.

The Newcrest scholarship agreement does not provide a tuition fee scholarship; international students would be  liable to pay UQ tuition fees. In 2017, the tuition fees per quarter are AUD 8,880. If the successful applicant has international student status, SMI-JKMRC will nominate the applicant for a University of Queensland International Tuition Fee Only scholarship (UQI FEES) for the consideration of the UQ Graduate School. The UQI FEES scholarship is competitive, and awarded by merit.

Students with domestic student status (Australian or New Zealand citizens, or holders of an Australian permanent residency visa) are not liable for tuition fees.

Award Condition

Applicants must be aware that applying for participation in Newcrest PhD project and applying for admission to the PhD program are two separate processes and independent of each other. The successful applicant will still need to apply for admission to the PhD program (and for international students, a tuition fee scholarship) with the support of the SMI Postgraduate Office.

If the successful applicant has domestic student status, the Newcrest living allowance can only be awarded upon successful enrolment in the PhD program. If the successful applicant has international student status, the Newcrest living allowance can only be awarded upon enrolment in the PhD program with the award of a UQI FEES scholarship.

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding the project should be directed to Dr Cathy Evans, SMI-JKMRC at c.evans@uq.edu.au. Dr Evans' research profile can be viewed at http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/311.

Enquiries about the UQ PhD admission requirements and process should be directed to Jacqueline Ross-Hagebaum at smipostgrad@uq.edu.au

To submit an application for the research position, use the Apply button below. All applicants must provide the following documents: Cover Letter, Academic CV/Resume (suggested format is available at http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/academic-CV), all Academic Records (award certificates and official transcripts indicating GPA results/grades and credit point or unit value) and proof of Australian domestic student status (Australian or New Zealand passport, or Australian citizenship certificate, or Australian permanent residency visa).

For information on completing the application process click here

Reference: 499640