The project will be undertaken within the group of Dr Jun Zhang (ARC Future Fellow) and Prof Nam-Trung Nguyen (Australian Laureate Fellow) at the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute, Griffith University.

External collaborators/supervisors include, Associate Professor Christopher Leonardi, Dr Dan Yuan and Dr Travis Mitchell at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, the University of Queensland (UQ).

This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

We are currently looking for multiple PhD candidates to contribute to our BioSpine research program. The primary areas of research involved in these positions are the development of novel control paradigms for lower-limb exoskeletons, electrical stimulation, and the use of reinforcement learning for simulating the interaction between neural and musculoskeletal systems during rehabilitation.

This project includes opportunities to develop and validate next-generation neurorehabilitation technologies within the BioSpine Hub at Griffith University with the possibility to direct impact the lives of people living with spinal cord injury. Candidates will have access the technology platform available within the Australian Centre of Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE), which encompasses real-time brain-computer interfaces, personalised functional electrical stimulation, custom-developed virtual reality for rehabilitation, wearable biosensors, and robotic assistance. Candidates will contribute to the progression of these technologies from research prototype through to clinical deployment. Success in this role requires collaboration with a highly cross-disciplinary team of engineers, software developers, industrial designers, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, and clinical researchers within the BioSpine team.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to demonstrate strong quantitative and computational skills, with foundational or applied experience in areas such as machine learning, reinforcement learning, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, and/or mechatronic engineering. You will have evidence of a passion for creating engineering solutions that can make an impact in the field of rehabilitation, with a strong desire to undertake research in neurorehabilitation, neural control of human movement, musculoskeletal modelling, brain-computer interfaces, or related fields.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with honours equivalent to first-class honours, or a Master’s degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a Bachelor honours degree, or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Policy. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program, refer here.

Please note:

Candidates with a background in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics engineering, computer science, computational neuroscience, exercise physiology, or a related STEM discipline are encouraged to apply. Desirable skills include proficiency in Python, C++, or equivalent programming environments, familiarity with machine learning (PyTorch) or simulation frameworks (OpenSim, Nvidia Newton), and prior experience in research settings.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 OR
3. A score of no less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only) OR
4. A minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency OR
5. An overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025) OR
6. An overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025) OR
7. An overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic OR
8. An overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET) .

About the scholarship
The 2026 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $35,656 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years full time study. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EOI Process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to A/Prof Pizzolato [email protected], containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the ‘About you’ section
• A curriculum vitae (CV)  using the Griffith CV template.
• Names and contact details of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 14 August 2026 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
A/Professor Claudio Pizzolato
Phone: (07) 555 27066
Email:  [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]