Bioengineering/Synthetic Biology and Human Disease and Biology - PhD

Two full-time funded PhD scholarship opportunities are available in the Synthetic Physiology Laboratory at Flinders University. The laboratory applies bioengineering/synthetic biology to understand and ultimately treat human disease. Further information about the Synthetic Physiology laboratory can be found on these websites: http://www.janovjak-lab.com/ and https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/harald.janovjak. The laboratory has relocated from Monash University to Flinders University in January 2022.

In two PhD projects the laboratory aims to develop a next-generation genetic technology to study the molecular events that underlie the occurrence and progression of cancer and metabolic disorders. This technology will enable dissecting the molecular function and cellular localization of key disease drivers (e.g., kinases and transcription factors) on an unprecedented scale (e.g., for the first time on a genome-wide ‘omics’ scale). Methods applied during the projects include high-throughput gene engineering, next-generation sequencing, human cell models and advanced microscopy. For further information about the research projects, please contact Prof Harald Janovjak (see below for contact information).

Two scholarships are available: The first scholarship will focus on establishing the next-generation technology by combining bioengineering/synthetic biology and cell biology. The second scholarship will focus on applying the technology to study cancer cell biology and physiology.

These research projects will be conducted at Flinders University (Bedford Park, SA) under the supervision of Prof Harald Janovjak. The scholarships include opportunities to participate in national and international conferences and overseas research collaboration (Germany, USA).

Each scholarship includes:

• A stipend valued at least $30,000 per annum (tax free) awarded for 3 1/2 years; and
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.

To be eligible for the award of a scholarship applicants must:

• Be an Australian citizen; or a New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; and
• Meet PhD admission requirements, including an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification, including a research component of at least 6 months full-time study achieving Distinction (75%); or including evidence of research experience; and
• Be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in Semester 1 or 2, 2022.
• Experience with biology laboratory methods (e.g., bacterial and mammalian cell culture) is desired but not required. Students with a background in biology, physics, chemistry or engineering are encouraged to apply.