Project overview

Many copper concentrates are increasingly challenging to process because they contain deleterious elements. Removing them cleanly, economically, and in a way that leaves them safely managed is still an open industrial problem — and it becomes more pressing as cleaner deposits are depleted. That is the problem this PhD attacks.

This project focuses on copper concentrates, aiming to improve metal recovery (including recovery of selected valuable by-products) and impurity removal while safely managing deleterious elements. You will study the extractive metallurgy, separation chemistry and impurity-management strategies relevant to copper concentrate processing, investigating the reaction mechanisms, kinetics and process conditions that govern how valuable and deleterious elements are released, separated and immobilised. The project combines laboratory-scale extractive metallurgy experimentation with advanced mineralogical and microanalytical characterisation — including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and solution analysis — to link process performance back to its mineralogical origin.

Open question: How can mineralogical information be translated into selective chemistry that improves metal recovery while safely managing deleterious elements?

Required backgrounds: chemistry; chemical, metallurgical or process engineering; materials science/engineering; mineralogy; geochemistry; or related areas.

The wider program

This PhD is part of a coordinated, industry-linked copper research program funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and undertaken by Murdoch University in partnership with BHP. The program spans economic geology, mineral characterisation, extractive metallurgy, impurity management, and techno-economic and environmental assessment. Each PhD has its own objectives, methods and deliverables, while researchers exchange data and insights where beneficial.

Research environment

You will join a cohort of three PhD students, a postdoctoral research fellow and Honours students. Murdoch's flagship Rigaku SmartLab diffractometer (in situ PXRD and SAXS) sits alongside ICP-MS, ICP-OES, TGA/DSC, Raman spectroscopy and a full suite of reactors and furnaces, with formal access to advanced microscopy and microanalysis at UWA's Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis and Curtin University's John de Laeter Centre (FESEM-EDS, TEM, EPMA, NanoSIMS, micro-Raman). BHP scientists contribute technical guidance, industry context and regular project interaction throughout. Perth is Australia's mining capital and one of the strongest places in the world to build a career in copper, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and sustainable resources research.

Who we are looking for

We care about how you think and whether you can develop into an independent researcher. Applicants should have:

• A suitable academic background for this project (see above).
• A First Class Honours degree, a Master's degree with a substantial research component, or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Evidence of strong research potential, such as a high-quality thesis, publication, substantial research project, laboratory or modelling experience, or a project you can discuss with real depth.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• English language proficiency meeting Murdoch University HDR admission requirements, where applicable.

How to apply

Please send the following to Professor Fang Xia (f.xia@murdoch.edu.au):

• CV, including degrees, institutions, grade average and the scale used, thesis/project title and mark if applicable, any publications, conference presentations and research projects.
• Academic transcripts for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Unofficial PDFs are acceptable at this stage.
• English test report (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE), if already available.
• Cover letter, maximum 400 words, explaining why you are interested in this project and your thoughts on the open question above — including how you would begin tackling it (the first experiment, analysis or model you would use), what result you would look for, and what you would do next. We do not expect a fully developed research proposal; we want to understand how you think.

Email subject line: PhD Application — Cu Metallurgy — Your Full Name.

Please apply by 31 August 2026. Late applications will be considered if the positions have not been filled. If shortlisted, applicants will be contacted for additional supporting documents and an interview. Successful candidates are expected to commence as soon as practicable, subject to admission, visa and other administrative requirements.

Project overview

Many copper concentrates are increasingly challenging to process because they contain deleterious elements. Removing them cleanly, economically, and in a way that leaves them safely managed is still an open industrial problem — and it becomes more pressing as cleaner deposits are depleted. That is the problem this PhD attacks.

This project focuses on copper concentrates, aiming to improve metal recovery (including recovery of selected valuable by-products) and impurity removal while safely managing deleterious elements. You will study the extractive metallurgy, separation chemistry and impurity-management strategies relevant to copper concentrate processing, investigating the reaction mechanisms, kinetics and process conditions that govern how valuable and deleterious elements are released, separated and immobilised. The project combines laboratory-scale extractive metallurgy experimentation with advanced mineralogical and microanalytical characterisation — including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and solution analysis — to link process performance back to its mineralogical origin.

Open question: How can mineralogical information be translated into selective chemistry that improves metal recovery while safely managing deleterious elements?

Required backgrounds: chemistry; chemical, metallurgical or process engineering; materials science/engineering; mineralogy; geochemistry; or related areas.

The wider program

This PhD is part of a coordinated, industry-linked copper research program funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and undertaken by Murdoch University in partnership with BHP. The program spans economic geology, mineral characterisation, extractive metallurgy, impurity management, and techno-economic and environmental assessment. Each PhD has its own objectives, methods and deliverables, while researchers exchange data and insights where beneficial.

Research environment

You will join a cohort of three PhD students, a postdoctoral research fellow and Honours students. Murdoch's flagship Rigaku SmartLab diffractometer (in situ PXRD and SAXS) sits alongside ICP-MS, ICP-OES, TGA/DSC, Raman spectroscopy and a full suite of reactors and furnaces, with formal access to advanced microscopy and microanalysis at UWA's Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis and Curtin University's John de Laeter Centre (FESEM-EDS, TEM, EPMA, NanoSIMS, micro-Raman). BHP scientists contribute technical guidance, industry context and regular project interaction throughout. Perth is Australia's mining capital and one of the strongest places in the world to build a career in copper, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and sustainable resources research.

Who we are looking for

We care about how you think and whether you can develop into an independent researcher. Applicants should have:

• A suitable academic background for this project (see above).
• A First Class Honours degree, a Master's degree with a substantial research component, or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Evidence of strong research potential, such as a high-quality thesis, publication, substantial research project, laboratory or modelling experience, or a project you can discuss with real depth.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• English language proficiency meeting Murdoch University HDR admission requirements, where applicable.

How to apply

Please send the following to Professor Fang Xia (f.xia@murdoch.edu.au):

• CV, including degrees, institutions, grade average and the scale used, thesis/project title and mark if applicable, any publications, conference presentations and research projects.
• Academic transcripts for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Unofficial PDFs are acceptable at this stage.
• English test report (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE), if already available.
• Cover letter, maximum 400 words, explaining why you are interested in this project and your thoughts on the open question above — including how you would begin tackling it (the first experiment, analysis or model you would use), what result you would look for, and what you would do next. We do not expect a fully developed research proposal; we want to understand how you think.

Email subject line: PhD Application — Cu Metallurgy — Your Full Name.

Please apply by 31 August 2026. Late applications will be considered if the positions have not been filled. If shortlisted, applicants will be contacted for additional supporting documents and an interview. Successful candidates are expected to commence as soon as practicable, subject to admission, visa and other administrative requirements.