PhD Scholarship: OEC therapy for spinal cord injury repair
The Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research (CJCNSCR) at Griffith University, headed by Prof James St John, is a large multi-disciplinary group including cell biologists, molecular biologists, bioengineers, and surgeons. We combine discovery and translational research to optimise and accelerate the delivery of therapeutic outcomes for people with severe disability. Our centre engages with the community to shape our research and to create solutions that have a clear path to market.
Job Description
We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to develop and optimise the next generation of OEC therapy for spinal cord injury repair.
The primary focus of this role is to work on our team’s highly specialised 3D culture techniques for creating the cell-based therapeutic constructs for spinal cord injury repair. This project includes harvesting, culturing and purifying olfactory ensheathing cells, preparing 3D cultured nerve bridges, and performing functional tests to determine their potency across in-vitro as well as in-vivo models.
Success in this role requires collaboration with our large interdisciplinary team of over 40 members and our clinician partners.
Qualifications
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, a scientific background in neuroscience and cell biology is desirable. You will have evidence of a passion for conducting basic and translational research, with a strong desire to undertake research in neural repair.
* 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.
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.
What Griffith Offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses 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.
For project-related enquiries please contact:
Dr Ronak Reshamwala
Email: r.reshamwala@griffith.edu.au
For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au
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