Phd Scholarship: Synthetic Biopolymer-Protein Conjugates For Enhanced Mucosal Delivery Of Drugs And Antigens in Brisbane

Working for one of the most influential universities in Australia and the Asia–Pacific region, you will join a University that spans five physical locations in South East Queensland and all disciplines, while our network of more than 200,000 graduates extends worldwide. We have world-class facilities for micro- and nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

You will conduct the advanced research at the Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, equipped with modern bioprocessing equipment, including cell disruptors, homogenisers, bioreactors, and chromatography systems. It is also located in a PC2 laboratory which is equipped with an array of instruments that enable synthetic biology of bacterial production strains. This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). 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.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to develop innovative biopolymer-protein conjugates for enhanced mucosal delivery of drugs and antigens. This will include electrohydrodynamic atomisation for nasal delivery. The primary focus of this role is to design and develop functional biopolymers that target the mucosa and that are amendable toward electrohydrodynamic atomisation to overcome the current drug and antigen delivery limitations. The project aims to enhance the efficacy of biopolymer micro/nanoparticles through precise control of particle size and charge and fill the gap between the fast advancement in nasal drug and vaccine discovery and conventional ineffective delivery techniques.

Success in this role requires knowledge in design of functional polymer particles, generation of cell factories as production strains, bioprocess development and characterisation of nanomaterials before and after the nebulising process.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to work in bioengineering, microfluidics, and material science. You will have evidence of a passion for conducting high impact research, with strong desire to undertake research in multidisciplinary research. Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.

Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelor's degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Master's degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.

Please note you should have a strong background in Material/Biomaterial science and experiences in design, analysis, fabrication and characterization of new material samples. International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
• A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
• A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship: The 2025 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years.

Closing date of expressions of interest: Friday 7 March 2025 at 5pm AEST.

What Griffith offers: As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across locations in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.

Further information: For project related enquiries please contact Dr Van Dau (Email: v.dau@griffith.edu.au) or Professor Bernd Rehm (Email: b.rehm@griffith.edu.au). For administration enquiries please contact Griffith Graduate Research School (Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au).