PhD scholarship: NIISQ Exploring reprogrammed OPCs as a therapy for neural repair
* Full-time
* Employment Type: Full Time
* Department ID: DVC Research - SDV
* Appointment Type: Fixed Term
The Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, within the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics at Griffith University is headed by Prof James St John. The Centre is a large multi‐disciplinary group including neuroscientists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, bioengineers and surgeons. We combine discovery and translational research to optimise and accelerate the delivery of therapeutic outcomes for people with severe disability. Our Centre engages extensively with the community to shape our research and to create solutions that have a clear path to market.
This opportunity will be primarily based at Gold Coast. 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. Supervisors for the project will be Dr Ronak Reshamwala, Dr Mariyam Murtaza, and Prof James St John.
The NIISQ PhD scholarship is a prestigious scholarship supported by the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland and is part of a large program of research to develop treatment options for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore and characterise reprogrammed oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), with a view to develop approaches to utilise them as a potential therapeutic for traumatic brain injury.
The position is part of the Cure Traumatic Brain Injury project which focuses on identifying and testing therapeutic cellular and subcellular products suitable for translation to the clinic. The team has the ambitious aim of driving products into clinical trial within five years.
The primary focus of this PhD position is to i) follow the existing protocol for reprogramming OPCs and thoroughly characterise the cells ii) modify the team's existing nerve bridge technology to incorporate OPCs into the 3D cultured constructs and characterise the cells in 3D iii) test the efficacy of OPC nerve bridges for repairing TBI in rodent models.
Success in this role requires i) an innovative, entrepreneurial attitude with a passion to deliver products to market, (ii) a focus on consumer involvement, (iii) ability to work with clinicians, (iv) aptitude to work both autonomously and co‐operatively within a large team, (v) drive and imagination to contribute to science.
The selection of applicants is based on academic merit and research background. A scientific background in neuroscience and cell biology is desirable. Applicants should have a passion for conducting basic and translational research, with a strong desire to undertake research in neural repair.
* Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelor's degree with honours equivalent to Second class (2A) honours, or a Masters degree with a significant research component comparable to a bachelor honours degree, or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment.
* Applicants are expected to commence in 2027.
About the scholarship
The NIISQ scholarship has an annual stipend of $50,000 for a period of up to three years of full‐time study.
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