Computational investigation of nanoparticle dynamics under electrokinetic control in viscoelastic suspensions

Controlled separation of nanoparticles is critical to a range of biomedical, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. 

This project will generate groundbreaking knowledge by quantifying the dynamics of nanoparticles as they are transported in inertial viscoelastic fluids and subjected to transient electrostatic forces. 

This research will be primarily computational in nature, but undertaken in close collaboration with experimental partners.

The project methodology will be focused on the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for fluid mechanics and the discrete element method (DEM) for particle mechanics. 

Given the wide range of lengths scales, the most appropriate technique for hydrodynamic particle coupling will be an outcome of the research. This also applies to the modelling of the prevailing electric field. 

High-performance computing on multi-GPU/CPU infrastructure will be essential to the generation of relevant data.

A/Prof Leonardi and Dr Mitchell lead a team comprised of three postdoctoral fellows, four PhD students, one MPhil student, and numerous coursework Masters and Honours students. 

As principal advisor, A/Prof Leonardi has supervised eight PhD students to conferral. Another two have their thesis under review. 

The team has formed a number of collaborative research partnerships within UQ (e.g., GETRC, GETCO2), within Australia (QUT, Griffith), and worldwide (MIT, Stanford, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory). 

The group is well connected to industry, with current partners including Shell, BHP, Origin Energy, Rio Tinto,  and Santos.

The high-performance computing requirements of this project will be met by the team’s annual allocations from the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre (Perth) and the National Computing Infrastructure (Canberra). These were recently augmented by a $70,000 investment of UQ DVCRI Strategic Funding, for the purchase of additional HPC time.

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 working knowledge of computational fluid, particle, or solid mechanics, open-source software for engineering computation, and/or computer programming would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of engineering and data analysis, numerical methods for scientific computing, and/or technical reporting and presentation and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of the lattice Boltzmann method, finite-discrete element methods and/or deployment on HPC infrastructure is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 12 August, 2026 12 August, 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 Associate Professor Christopher Leonardi (c.leonardi@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: VISCOELASTIC-LEONARDI
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/computational-investigation-nanoparticle-dynamics-under-electrokinetic-control-viscoelastic-suspensions

Submit an EOI