Catalytic converting waste polyolefin into olefin monomers

High-value utilisation of plastic waste is one of the most significant approaches to transform waste into valuable products as well as tackle the ecological and environmental pollution. Depolymerisation of polyolefin waste, which is rich in carbon and hydrogen, offers a promising route for upcycling plastic waste into valuable monomers (such as light olefins, ethylene, which is a large volume commodity chemical) in the presence of novel catalysts. However, achieving a high yield in their conversion into olefins remains problematic. By strategically positioning hierarchical zeolites, which contain different sizes of porosity, this project aims to polyolefin deconstruction to light olefins monomers by addressing the necessity of molecular sieving ability and mass transport for unsaturation products. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining catalysis, materials chemistry, and process engineering, this cooperative research centre (CRC) funded research targets innovative chemical processes and bridges benchtop-scale breakthroughs with practical applications.

This multidisciplinary project will be conducted within the School of Chemical Engineering at UQ. The School of Chemical Engineering and UQ provide a world-class research environment with state-of-the-art facilities for catalyst preparation, a range of advanced characterisation facilities and testing of the new polymerisation reactions.

In particular, the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM) and the Queensland node of the Australian Nanofabrication Facility (ANFF-Q) together provide the essential facilities for catalyst characterisations.

Working in Muxina’s group, who was the recipient of the “Catalysis Development Excellence Award” from the 10th Asia-Pacific Congress on Catalysis (APCAT-10, held in Singapore, August 2025), the successful candidate will be exposed to a collaborative environment and innovative methodologies at the forefront of research.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A background or knowledge of material science, chemical engineering, chemistry, and catalysis is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 15 February, 2026 15 February, 2026.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Muxina Konarova (m.konarova@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: OLEFIN-KONAROVA
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/catalytic-converting-waste-polyolefin-olefin-monomers

Submit an EOI