Project opportunity
This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.
The neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as motor neuron disease/MND) and frontotemporal dementia lack effective treatments or cures, and the causes of neurodegeneration remain unclear. This PhD project will determine the molecular mechanisms controlling the formation and clearance of neuronal pathology in ALS and FTD, with a focus on proof-of-concept and pre-clinical studies harnessing innovative mouse models. The overall goal of this work is to identify new therapeutic targets for these devastating diseases.
The project will involve a wide range of cutting-edge techniques, including the use of transgenic mouse models of disease, adeno-associated virus gene therapies, advanced microscopy, multi-omics approaches (proteomics, RNASeq), CRISPR gene editing, and human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived neuronal cell culture models. The work will be supported by world-class facilities within the Queensland Brain Institute, where the PhD student will work in a collaborative environment alongside welcoming and dedicated research students and scientists within the Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory.
Scholarship value
As a scholarship recipient, you'll receive:
- living stipend of $32,192 per annum tax free (2023 rate), indexed annually
- tuition fees covered
- single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Supervisor
Queensland Brain Institute
Email: adam.walker@uq.edu.au
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history.
A working knowledge of neurobiology and biochemistry would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of neuroscience or computational biology and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of statistics, neurodegenerative diseases, and cell biology is highly desirable.
Latest commencement date
If you are the successful candidate, you must commence by Research Quarter 4, 2024. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date.
If you are an international applicant, you may need to apply much earlier for visa requirements.
How to apply
You apply for this project as part of your PhD program application.