Promotion in Bio- und Chemiewissenschaften

The Macreadie group at the University of New South Wales are looking to recruit a talented and enthusiastic student to join our research team. We are an inorganic chemistry group and interested in pairing fundamental inorganic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry to drive sub-angstrom control over the pore environment in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for storage, separation and catalytic applications.

Our group is interested in understanding the host-guest chemistry of MOFs and how this influences the structural and behavioral properties of the MOF. This includes investigating the gas capture of the MOF for different guests, structural changes in response to temperature and pressure, and also the catalytic properties of new frameworks. Our group is interested in using 3D-linkers to form 3D-linker MOFs (3DL-MOFs) which generally offer more sites for host-guest interactions compared with MOFs formed from traditional linkers. This project has a strong collaborative component with multidisciplinary groups from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK, in addition to in-depth studies at the Australian Synchrotron, which allows for a deeper understanding of the MOF material properties. This work will involve some or all of organic and inorganic synthesis, MOF preparation, crystallography and gas adsorption. Some recent publications include: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.2c13715 and https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.201916159

Skills gained: Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), organic and inorganic chemistry synthesis, gas and vapour adsorption analysis.

$37,684 per annum (2024 rate, indexed) for 3.5 years. International candidates will receive a tuition fee scholarship.

$37,684 per annum (2024 rate, indexed) for 3.5 years. International candidates will receive a tuition fee scholarship.

Prospective applicants should first contact Dr Chao Xiong ([email protected]) to discuss their suitability for the project and obtain supervisory support before submitting a formal scholarship application.

Please email Dr Chao Xiong a CV (maximum two pages), academic transcripts, and a short research statement (maximum one page) outlining your research background, relevant experimental, bioinformatics and data-analysis skills, future research interests, and fit for the project.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection process may conclude early if appropriate applicants are secured.

This PhD project aims to develop a new method to purify silk proteins using liquid chromatography. If successful, it could create a new class of “chromatographically degummed” silk proteins. It will study the properties and interactions of these extracted proteins compared with conventionally processed silk. The project is only possible thanks to a recent breakthrough made by the Deakin silk research team, which developed a new method to re-solubilise silk fibres.

If successful, this could lead to next generation silk-based materials with outstanding mechanical properties. Understanding the properties of the extracted proteins in their undegraded state will also help to answer key questions about how silkworms can spin fibres at room temperature with properties that rival many synthetic fibres. The project will also explore the properties of sericin extracted using a newly developed extraction method. This sericin will be explored for applications such as 3D printing or to develop injectable hydrogels.

Silkworm silk is a remarkable material; in addition to its use in high end textiles, it has been explored for applications ranging from regenerative medicine, drug delivery, cosmetics and even as edible coatings to preserve fruit and vegetables. To use silk for such applications it must first be “degummed” to remove sericin, the glue that holds the cocoon together. Despite decades of research, the most used degumming method involves boiling cocoons in an alkaline bath to dissolve sericin. This process is damaging to the remaining silk fibres, compromising their mechanical properties and changing silk’s properties in solution completely.

This scholarship is available over three years and offers:

• a stipend of $37,450 per annum tax exempt (2026 rate)

For international students, the awardee will also receive:

• tuition fees offset for the duration of four years
• single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

Additional desirable criteria include:

• a background in chemistry, biology or materials science; experience in protein biochemistry is highly desirable.

Coastal ecosystems worldwide are increasingly threatened by a range of global environmental pressures. Management of these ecosystems, has often prioritised ecological services while overlooking the coupling between ecosystems and physical processes. Yet, to maintain ecosystem services (i.e. ecological, economic and social values), it is critical to account for both the physical and ecological processes, and their interactions, that link marine protected areas to the adjacent coastline.

In Western Australia (WA), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) conserves biodiversity through the management of terrestrial and marine parks. DBCA marine parks span the WA coastline and consist almost exclusively of complex coastal settings, including beaches fronted by coral reefs and mangroves, seagrass systems, and rocky reefs. Recognising the need for an integrated ecosystem‑based management approach, DBCA has identified key research priorities focused on understanding how contemporary and future oceanographic processes shape marine park coastlines and influence associated ecosystems.

This scholarship opportunity forms part of an Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellowship undertaken in collaboration with DBCA and aims to develop foundational knowledge of the processes linking reef ecosystems to adjacent coastal landforms, including beaches.

Applicants will undertake one of two pathways, depending on interests and skills:

1) Regional‑scale shoreline dynamics and coastal risk (remote sensing focused).
Example research topics include: multi‑decadal shoreline changes along reef‑fronted marine parks; links between shoreline variability, wave climate and reef geometry; identifying hotspots of future coastal exposure under sea‑level rise scenarios

2) Local‑scale sediment transport and beach dynamics (field‑based).
Example research areas include: sediment transport pathways from reef to beach; beach response to storms and seasonal forcing; coupling between hydrodynamics, sediment supply and beach morphology

Together, these approaches will improve understanding of reef‑fronted beach evolution and support the development of management‑relevant insights for assessing future coastal vulnerability and resilience across WA’s marine parks.

Read more about the project here.

Applicants should hold an Honours or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in coastal oceanography, geology, engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience in quantitative data analysis is essential. Experience with coastal fieldwork, numerical modelling, or remote sensing is desirable but not mandatory.

This project involves collaboration with government partners and may include fieldwork in remote coastal and marine park environments. 

Domestic and international applicants are encouraged to apply.

To express interest, please email the following documents as a single PDF to Dr Mike Cuttler:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV) 

2.  A brief research statement (1–2 pages) that: 

• summarises your background and research interests 
• clearly identifies which research pathway (regional/remote sensing or local/field‑based) you are most interested in 
• outlines relevant skills (e.g. data analysis, remote sensing, fieldwork, modelling) 

Are you passionate about coastal ecosystems and ready to make a meaningful contribution to climate action? This exciting PhD opportunity offers the chance for two candidates to join a well-supported, interdisciplinary research program focused on seagrass restoration in Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay.

The two projects available are:

• Developing tools and knowledge for seagrass restoration in Port Phillip Bay.
• Upscaling seagrass restoration in Victoria

Seagrass meadows are critical to the health of coastal environments. They provide essential habitat, improve water quality, and play a key role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide, making them vital natural allies in the fight against climate change. However, many of these ecosystems have experienced dramatic declines due to urbanisation and changes in land use, particularly in Port Phillip, where extensive seagrass beds once thrived.

There is an urgent need to assess the current extent and condition of seagrass meadows and develop targeted strategies for their restoration. This industry supported PhD project will undertake the development of the knowledge and tools required for effective, large-scale seagrass restoration—an important step toward helping Australia meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The scholarship stipend includes an industry funded top-up.

These PhD projects are in collaboration with experienced scientists, Melbourne Water as the industry partner and Traditional Owners and offer the opportunity to undertake impactful, applied research within a supportive academic setting.

If you're ready to contribute to the recovery of a critical marine habitat and make a real difference for climate resilience, we encourage you to apply.

Both scholarships are available over three years (possible six-month extension) and offers:

• a stipend of $45,550 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)
• a relocation allowance of $500–1,500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
• contribution to research purposes including travel of $1,500 per annum for three years.

For international students, the awardee will also receive:

• tuition fees offset for the duration of four years
• single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

Additional desirable criteria:

• a passion for marine and coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration, especially with seagrass habitats
• a strong interest in marine ecology and biology, with foundational knowledge in ecological theory and seagrass ecosystems
• comfort working in marine and estuarine environments, setting up and conducting restoration trials, seed collection, ecological surveys, and mesocosm or lab-based experiments
• mapping and identifying restoration priority areas, species distribution modelling, and geospatial data interpretation
• understanding genetic diversity, population structure, donor selection, connectivity mapping, and the role of genomics in restoration planning
• quantitative analysis, scientific writing, and data interpretation capabilities

This PhD project will apply advanced numerical approaches to analyse subglacial sediment generation by the Antarctic Ice Sheet for future and past warm periods. The project will develop an approach to define the expected sedimentary output for Antarctic glacial retreat including expected signals in glacial detritus and its provenance. The new approach will be applied to past, present and future East Antarctic ice sheet. These model will help to constrain past ice sheet evolution and sea level. The outcomes of this project will help to understand deglaciation events in the past and projections for the future of sea level and climate.

The PhD student will:

1) Develop numerical workflows to model subglacial sediment generation and transport. 

2) Apply this to model ensembles for the past, present and future of the East Antarctic ice sheet.

3) Express these results in the context of identifying signals of future glacial change in Antarctica and sea level change

Read more about the project here.

The student will have a background in Earth, Cryosphere or Ocean sciences, Geomorphology or Physical Geography.

The student will be able to engage in quantitative numerical and spatial analysis methods.

Marine debris poses a critical threat to ocean ecosystems, yet our understanding of its distribution and dynamics remains limited. While land-based surveys and beach clean-ups provide valuable data, they capture only a fraction of the problem. Very little data is available on debris floating in the sea; thus, existing coastal surveys almost certainly underrepresent the actual quantity and distribution patterns of oceanic debris. Once introduced into the ocean, some debris will likely never drift ashore due to ocean circulation patterns and instead will concentrate in coastal and oceanic garbage patches. Floating marine debris, including those coming from fishing activities (e.g., ghost nets), disrupt and damage ecosystems (e.g., through physical entanglement on the reef), contaminate food chains, can be a safety issue, especially for vessels, and contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional hydrodynamic models lack real-time tracking capabilities, creating a critical knowledge gap in understanding marine debris movement and accumulation patterns. This limitation hampers effective mitigation strategies and policy development for marine pollution management in the Indian Ocean region.  Using remote sensing data to develop and validate novel rapid approaches for floating marine debris at sea could be used to determine their drift in real-time or with a relatively short lag (e.g., days/weeks), representing a significant improvement compared to hydrodynamic models.

Aims:

Develop and validate novel approaches combining satellite and drone imagery with machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to detect and track floating marine debris in near real-time.Identify environmental drivers of debris accumulation and movement.Create predictive models for marine debris movement incorporating oceanographic and meteorological data.Support evidence-based decision-making for coastal and marine pollution management.

Skills:

GIS and spatial data analysis (QGIS, ESRI); Remote Sensing and image analysis (preferred); Spatial or Environmental modelling; Programming in R or Python; Strong written communication and scientific writing skills

Read more about the project here.

• GIS and spatial data analysis (QGIS, ESRI)
• Remote Sensing and image analysis (preferred)
• Spatial or Environmental modelling
• Programming in R or Python
• Strong written communication and scientific writing skills

Artificial reefs are increasingly being deployed along coastlines worldwide for a range of purposes, including recreation, habitat enhancement and coastal management. While numerical and physical modelling are commonly used to inform reef design and approvals, there remains limited quantitative, field‑based evidence evaluating how artificial reefs interact with nearshore hydrodynamics, sediment transport and beach evolution once constructed, particularly in high‑energy wave environments.

A central motivation for this project is the need to empirically assess post‑construction coastal response to artificial reefs, and to evaluate assumptions commonly made during the design and approval process. By resolving coastal processes across a range of temporal and spatial scales, the project will improve understanding of how reef geometry, placement and wave climate influence coastal behaviour.

This project will investigate the coastal impacts of artificial reefs, with a focus on understanding how engineered reef structures modify wave transformation, nearshore circulation, sediment transport pathways and shoreline response. The research will address key knowledge gaps related to whether, and under what conditions, artificial reefs produce measurable changes to beach morphology, erosion and accretion patterns, or nearshore sediment dynamics.

The project will employ a combination of field‑based observations (e.g. wave and current measurements, beach and seabed surveys, sediment monitoring) and remote‑sensing and data‑driven analyses (e.g. satellite imagery, UAV surveys, coastal monitoring datasets). Outcomes will provide robust, evidence‑based insights to inform the design, monitoring and management of artificial reefs in energetic coastal environments. 

Read more about the project here.

Applicants will be required to apply for available scholarship opportunities. 

Any fully-funded scholarship opportunities will be linked to this project opporutnity via HDRhub. 

Dr Jonathan Chee [email protected], Institute for Respiratory Health

Kofi Stevens [email protected], Institute for Respiratory Health  

Background  

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor survival outcomes. Although treatments designed to activate the immune system against cancer have demonstrated some clinical benefit, the majority of mesothelioma patients fail to respond. 

Emerging evidence implicates copper as a critical factor in tumour progression. Copper accumulates in mesothelioma tissue, where it promotes tumour growth, immune evasion, and resistance to chemotherapy. Drugs that bind and reduce copper levels (copper chelators) are already approved for non-cancer indications, offering a unique opportunity for drug repurposing. 

This project will explore how manipulating copper availability affects tumour cell behaviour, immune cell function, and overall treatment response. Our goal is to determine whether copper chelation can improve the efficacy of standard therapies and immune-based treatments in mesothelioma. 

Aims 

• Investigate copper levels alters tumour cell behaviour and gene expression, including chemotherapy transporters, MHC-I, and PD-L1.
• Examine how copper affects tumour cell sensitivity to chemotherapy.
• Assess the impact of copper on immune cell function and tumour visibility using in vitro T cell–tumour cell killing assays. 
• Characterise how copper chelation therapy modulates immune cell composition and activity within the tumour microenvironment. 
• Evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of copper chelation therapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, and its impact on the tumour microenvironment. 
• Use CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out key copper transporter genes in tumour and immune cells to dissect their role in treatment response. 
• Analyse publicly available datasets to investigate expression of copper-regulatory genes in cancer patients and correlate these with clinical outcomes and treatment responses. 

Outcomes 

Chance to travel to Sydney to work with UNSW collaborators. 

Read more about the project here.

Multiple funding sources from Cancer Council WA, WA Department of Health.

Dr Jonathan Chee [email protected], Institute for Respiratory Health

Dr Nicola Principe [email protected], Institute for Respiratory Health

Project Title 

Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), has transformed the treatment of advanced lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, up to 70% of patients do not respond to these therapies, highlighting an urgent need to improve their effectiveness. 

One of the major barriers to successful immunotherapy is the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumour. These cells suppress the immune system and prevent it from attacking the cancer. Recent research suggests that Tregs inside tumours rely heavily on cholesterol and lipid metabolism to maintain their function. Interestingly, clinical studies have shown that patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may respond better to ICB, suggesting a potential way to target Tregs and improve outcomes. 

Project Overview 

This project aims to understand how altering lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol, can reduce Treg-mediated immune suppression and enhance the body’s immune response to cancer. 

Aims  

• Investigate how cholesterol-lowering drugs affect Treg survival, function, and gene expression. 
• Assess how changes in lipid metabolism alter Treg suppression of anti-tumour T cells. 
• Use co-culture assays to test how modifying Treg metabolism impacts immune cell killing of cancer cells. 
• Apply CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt key metabolic genes in Tregs and explore effects on immune suppression. 
• Evaluate how cholesterol-lowering treatments such as statins influence Treg populations in the tumour microenvironment. 
• Test whether combining metabolic therapies with ICB improves tumour control in mouse models of lung cancer and mesothelioma. 
• Analyse patient data to explore links between cholesterol metabolism genes, Treg signatures, and immunotherapy outcomes. 

Why Join This Project? 

• Work at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and cancer therapy.
• Gain experience in cutting-edge techniques including CRISPR, flow cytometry, and in vivo tumour models, lipidomics and genomics.
• Contribute to translational research with real clinical relevance.
• Opportunity to collaborate with national experts in tumour immunology and lipid metabolism.

Read more about the project here.

Multiple funding sources from Cancer Council WA, WA Department of Health.

Read more about the project here.

Read more about the project here.

Read more about the project here.

A successful PhD candidate in this project requires strong skills in experimental design, molecular biology, and ecological genomics to conduct and analyze evolution experiments with coral-algal symbioses.

Additionally, proficiency in field-work, statistical modelling, bioinformatics, and data visualization is essential to interpret complex physiological and evolutionary data in the context of climate change.

Experience in laboratory techniques for culturing algae or cells is preferred, as this project involves maintaining and experimentally evolving Symbiodiniaceae strains. Hands-on expertise in algal or cell culture methods will be ideal for conducting controlled experiments and ensuring the consistency of symbiont populations across various environmental conditions.

Potential candidates should undertake the following:

• International & Australian candidates confirm fulfilment of all admission requirements at UWA PhD Program.
• Send a CV & cover letter, briefly outline research interests.