This PhD project aims to develop a next-generation microfluidic sensor platform for the early detection of cancer biomarkers directly from blood samples.

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan and Macquarie University in Australia are pleased to offer a scholarship funded by both institutions to support an exceptional student undertaking doctoral research.

Full title: Microfluidic sensor for early detection of cancer markers in blood

Early diagnosis is critical for improving patient outcomes, yet current cancer screening technologies remain slow, expensive or insufficiently sensitive.

This project will integrate microfluidics, advanced sensing materials and bio-recognition chemistry to create a highly sensitive, low-cost device capable of detecting trace levels of tumour-derived markers such as circulating proteins, exosomes or nucleic acids.

About the scholarship

The student will work with supervisors from both institutions to develop new models that translate brain activity into meaningful representations such as text, images, video and, potentially, 3D scenes.

With tuition fully covered and a living stipend provided while in residence at each university, the candidate will gain access to world-class resources, including:

• high-performance AI clusters
• advanced fMRI/EEG facilities.

The project offers strong interdisciplinary training in brain–AI modelling, semantics and spatial cognition, with opportunities for joint publications, international presentations, and collaboration across research centres and industry partners. It provides an excellent pathway for students interested in cutting-edge research on how the brain encodes concepts, perception and experience.

Possible research directions:

• multi-modal decoding from fMRI + EEG
• translating neural signals into semantic concepts
• reconstructing dynamic visual experiences
• inferring 3D spatial structure from brain activity.

Availability

The scholarship is available to candidates eligible to undertake a direct entry PhD program at Macquarie University and National Tsing Hua University, full-time, commencing in:

• September 2026 (if beginning on campus at NTHU)
• October 2026 (if beginning on campus at Macquarie).

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met:

• for NTHU, see how to apply and entry requirements.
• for Macquarie, see PhD entry and English language requirements and graduate research scholarship eligibility criteria.

Desirable/project specific criteria:

• microfluidics and lab-on-chip systems
• biosensing and analytical chemistry.

Applicants who are already enrolled in a doctoral degree at the NTHU or Macquarie may be considered for the position if they have a minimum of 24 months left in their PhD candidature at the time of joint enrolment (September/October 2026).

Applicants must not already:

• hold a doctoral degree
• be matriculated for a doctoral degree at another institution.

Components

The total joint enrolment period at both universities is no more than 36 months and no less than 24 months. Students must spend a minimum of 12 months on each university campus, and on-campus periods should be split roughly equally.

Macquarie components:

• iMQRES tuition fee scholarship (international students) or tuition fee offset (Australian domestic students) for the duration of the student’s enrolment at Macquarie until the expected thesis submission date, in accordance with the scholarship conditions of award
• stipend at an annual rate of $39,700 AUD (2026 rate, tax exempt) paid pro-rata while the student is located on campus at Macquarie
• airfare allowance up to a maximum of $4000 AUD for the student between Taiwan and Sydney, subject to Macquarie’s travel policy.

NTHU components:

• NTHU tuition fee scholarship for the duration of the student’s enrolment at NTHU, in accordance with the scholarship conditions of award
• for Macquarie student: NTHU will provide a dual PhD degree scholarship NTD 15,000 per month while the student is at NTHU up to 24 months and a NTHU tuition fee scholarship will be granted
• for NTHU student: NTHU will provide dual PhD degree scholarship NTD 11,000 per month while the student is in Australia up to 24 months. While studying at NTHU, students may apply for additional sources of funding. For more detailed information, contact the relevant departments directly.

How to apply

Call for expressions of interest (EOIs) close on Monday 26 January 2026.

Applicants should submit an EOI for the global PhD project via email directly to both supervisors:

• Professor Mohsen Asadnia mohsen.asadnia@mq.edu.au (Macquarie)
• Professor Hsing-Ying Lin hy.lin@mx.nthu.edu.tw (NTHU).

Use the subject line: Microfluidic sensor for early detection of cancer markers in blood

EOI documents to submit:

• CV including information about publications
• transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees
• information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall)
• statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)
• indication that the student meets the English language requirements for entry into a PhD program at both universities, or willingness to obtain relevant English language proficiency test results.

Full application:

• the preferred candidate will be invited to submit a formal application to both institutions. At NTHU, candidates submit the application form for dual degree program to the Office of Global Affairs at gac@my.nthu.edu.tw. At Macquarie, candidates apply for the PhD program and the cotutelle/joint PhD scholarship through the online application portal.
• upon formal application, the Macquarie Global Programs team and NTHU Office of Global Affairs draft and finalise the student agreement. Enrolment is subject to formal offer, acceptance and agreement finalisation at Macquarie.
• all relevant entry and immigration requirements for both institutions must be met.

Contact information:

NTHU Office of Global Affairs: gac@my.nthu.edu.tw

Macquarie Graduate Research Academy: gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au