Job Description
Biological sciences » Biological engineering
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Engineering » Biomedical engineering
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Organisation/Company
University of Queensland Department School of Chemical Engineering Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 9 Sep *********:00
(Australia/Brisbane)
Country Australia Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
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Offer Description
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Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the most widely trialled cell therapy in history, yet few are approved for chronic inflammatory disease.
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One reason is that their anti-inflammatory strength varies unpredictably from batch to batch. A dose that helps one patient may do little for the next.
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This project asks whether rewiring the cells' metabolism can make that effect consistent. The work has three parts:
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Engineering: use CRISPR tools that switch genes on and off, locking human MSCs into defined metabolic states.
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Characterisation: measure what each state does to the cells, combining metabolic profiling with checks on cell identity and quality.
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Immune function: test how each state changes the way the cells calm an immune response, using T cell assays and the anti-inflammatory signals the cells release.
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You do not need experience in all three. If the project interests you but you are unsure whether your background fits, email me before you apply.
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Research environment
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This project is based at UQ's St Lucia campus in the School of Chemical Engineering, working at the interface of cell engineering, metabolism and immunology.
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You will have access to a solid suite of platforms across UQ, including primary cell culture and molecular biology facilities.
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You will be supervised by a team spanning the disciplines the project draws on, combining cell and metabolic engineering with cell-therapy expertise, and supported by specialists in extracellular vesicles and MSC immunomodulation.
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You will be embedded in an active program on engineered cell therapies, with links to Australia's cell and gene therapy sector.
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living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free ***** rate), indexed annually
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Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
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We take into account your:
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previous academic record
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publication record
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honours and awards
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employment history.
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A working knowledge of primary tissue culture, molecular biology (DNA cloning, qPCR, Western blot), flow citometry, cytokine assays, and/or immunoprofiling would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
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You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of biomedical sciences, cell or molecular biology, immunology, biomedical or biochemical engineering, or a closely related disciplineand the potential for scholastic success.
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A background or knowledge of CRISPR gene editing, cell metabolism, flow cytometry, or immunological assays is highly desirable.
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Skills/Qualifications
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Preferred educational background
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Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
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We take into account your:
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previous academic record
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publication record
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honours and awards
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employment history.
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A working knowledge of primary tissue culture, molecular biology (DNA cloning, qPCR, Western blot), flow citometry, cytokine assays, and/or immunoprofiling would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
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You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of biomedical sciences, cell or molecular biology, immunology, biomedical or biochemical engineering, or a closely related disciplineand the potential for scholastic success.
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A background or knowledge of CRISPR gene editing, cell metabolism, flow cytometry, or immunological assays is highly desirable.
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Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
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Research Field Engineering » Biomedical engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
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Research Field Technology » Biotechnology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
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Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
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Research Field Biological sciences » Biological
engineeringTechnology
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BiotechnologyEngineering
» Biomedical engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
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living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free ***** rate), indexed annually
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Specific Requirements
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Specific requirements — international applicants
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Academic background. You need a qualifying degree in a relevant discipline completed no more than ten years ago: a Master of Philosophy, a bachelor's degree with at least honours class IIA, or a coursework master's with a GPA of 5.65 on UQ's 7-point scale together with demonstrated research experience. Qualifications from outside Australia are assessed on their equivalence, and the standing of your institution within its own system is taken into account, not only its global ranking.
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English language proficiency. These are laboratory-based projects with no clinical component, so the standard UQ requirement applies: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in every sub-band, or an accepted equivalent. Results from separate test sittings cannot be combined.
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You may not need a test at all. If your most recent degree was taught and assessed in English and you completed it within five years of your intended commencement, you may be able to meet the requirement by deeming instead. Applicants from some countries are required to hold a current test result regardless, because of Australian visa criteria. Ask before you pay for a test.
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Visa and commencement. UQ has no remote or distance HDR programme. You must study on a UQ campus in Brisbane, and you cannot commence from overseas. Student visa processing takes four to six months on average and longer for some countries, so your commencement will be set to a research quarter that allows for it — in practice, six months or more after an offer is issued. You must arrive and commence within the first fourteen days of your research quarter; time lost beforehand is not added to the end of your candidature.
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Health cover. Single Overseas Student Health Cover is included in the scholarship. Cover for a partner or dependants is not, and you would need to fund that yourself as a condition of your visa.
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Sanctions. Applicants who are citizens of, or resident in, a country on Australia's autonomous sanctions list require an additional compliance assessment before an offer can be made. This is a standard check, not a barrier in itself, but it adds time.

📌 Phd Scholarship: Engineering Of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Metabolism For Reliable Cell Therapies (New South Wales)
🏢 University Of Queensland
📍 New South Wales