PhD Scholarship – Biomolecular Adsorption during Digestion
Job No.: 679368
Location: Parkville campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend of $36,063 per annum (2025 full-time rate).
The Structured Biointerfaces Group at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences is an established group led by Professor Ben Boyd and has a focus on understanding the impact of structure in materials on their processing by the body, with a view to understanding the link between structure and function in drug and nutrient delivery applications. We are growing the group to comprise around six postdoctoral staff and six PhD students, forming a highly supportive and talented daily workplace. We regularly utilize large scale research infrastructure (such as the Australian Synchrotron) and have access to world class analytical instrumentation on site at the Parkville Campus.
The Opportunity:
This position will focus on research into what adsorbs onto the surface of food particles in our gut and how that impacts on processes such as digestion and interaction with other particles and surfaces in the gut such as the microbiome and mucus. Working under the broader project of ‘Precision Nutrition’ the research will investigate how the structure of food particles dictates adsorption of proteins, lipids and other material onto the surface to change their ‘bioidentity’. The specific bioidentity is anticipated to dictate downstream interactions with cells and mucus, as well as alter patterns of digestion and release of nutrients from food. Working alongside other postdocs and students focused more on structural aspects of these processes, this position will focus on understanding the bioidentity of the surface and how it then influences particle behaviour. The project has a strong industry link, and time will be spent in the international laboratories of the industry partner to enhance the PhD experience and to strengthen the relevance of the research to the translation of findings.
Ideally you will have completed an Honours or Masters degree with a focus on proteomics or lipidomics or other aspects of bioanalysis using chromatography methods. You may also have some experience with cells and cell culture, or microbiome metabolomics. Alternatively, you may have experience in advanced microscopy techniques with protein labelling, FTIR microscopy or Raman microscopy during your Honours or Masters research project, especially if you have a Food Science background. You will have high level skills in oral and written English and demonstrable problem solving and communication skills (which will be explored at interview), and publication of previous research will be a huge advantage. The candidate will be expected to work with respect for Occupational Health and Safety guidelines, Ethics in Research and expectations of the highest levels of personal behaviour towards others at Monash University.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants will ideally be Australian citizens or Permanent Residents, although students coming with an overseas stipend will be considered. International students without a stipend will not be considered. Applicants will be considered provided that they also fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University and demonstrate excellent research capability. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/apply.
How to Apply:
To apply please follow the following steps:
- Check that you are eligible to enrol in the program, i.e. you are an Australian permanent resident or citizen, or are providing your own funding for living expenses.
- Send your CV (max two pages) and letter of motivation (one page) to structured-biointerfaces@monash.edu, with “PhD Scholarship – Biomolecular Adsorption during Digestion ” in the subject line before 14th May 2025 – only applications that adhere to this format will be considered. After a selection process and interviews, a letter of invitation to apply to the Monash PhD program will be issued and the Faculty process will be underway.
Enquiries:
Further enquiries about the scholarship or application process should be directed to structured-biointerfaces@monash.edu or visit www.monash.edu/future-students/phd
Applications Close: Wednesday 14 May 2025, 11:55pm AEST
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