Mapping the development of mucosal immunity

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.

Our work aims to understand how the immune system responds to infections (including viruses, bacteria and parasites) and tumour cells. 

We are investigating how different types of epithelial and immune cells develop, and what factors influences their decision to become one type of immune cell or another to mediate long term immune protection.

Understanding how the body deals with pathogens will give clues about how to enhance protective immunity. Our goal is to discover new therapies that boost our immune system to protect against infection.

We aim to:

  • Unravel the microbiome-epithelial-immune interface protecting mucosal surfaces
  • Elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the generation of protective immunity driven by innate cells in response to lung and gastrointestinal pathogens

Combining cellular, molecular biology, and high throughput technologies the candidate will investigate the role of novel transcription factors in governing innate cell fate using a number of approaches including flow cytometry, imaging and molecular approaches.

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

Professor Gabrielle Belz

Faculty of Medicine

Email: g.belz@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 immunology, bioinformatics, microbiology, pathogen infection and tumourogenesis would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of immunology, bioinformatics, imaging and microbiology and the potential for scholastic success.

Latest commencement date

If you are the successful candidate, you must commence by Research Quarter 1, 2025. 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.

View application process