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.
Mammals stay warm even while they are lying still. Heat generated in the resting (relaxed) skeletal muscle is a major contributor to this ability of mammals to maintain core body temperature as the ambient temperature lowers. This is believed to be regulated by the brown adipose tissue and its signalling to skeletal muscle, but little is known of this important process.
In this project, the candidate will use single muscle fibres from mice in conjunction with confocal microscopy to measure the calcium movements and local changes in muscle temperature to examine the signalling between brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. The project will involve adapting mice to lower temperature to assess tissue-to-tissue signalling post this adaptation process.
The candidate will learn state-of-the-art cell physiology technique while conducting a project that is expected to be of high interest and impact.
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
Associate Professor Bradley Launikonis
Faculty of Medicine
Email: b.launikonis@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 confocal microscopy and cell physiology would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of physiology and biophysics and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of biology is highly desirable.
Latest commencement date
If you are the successful candidate, you must commence by Research Quarter 3, 2023. 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.