PhD Scholarships

PhD Opportunities in Pharmacology

The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University

Two PhD Scholarships are available immediately in the Pharmacology group at the Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University.  The Pharmacology group has a broad interest in drugs useful for treating pain.  We seek to understand how analgesics work at a cellular and molecular level, and how this effects the activity of neurons involved in sensing and responding to pain.  Our major goal is to identify potential new targets for drug action.  We use electrophysiological recording from neurons and cell lines expressing recombinant receptors and ion channels as well as a range of contemporary biochemical techniques to address these questions.

Students with a strong background in Pharmacology, Physiology or Cell Biology are encouraged to consider projects including the identification of novel targets for endocannabinoid-related molecules, the cellular mechanisms of action of anti-migraine drugs and the identification of novel modulators of voltage gated calcium channels derived from venoms.

The scholarship will enable the student to be part of the vibrant ASAM team, whose work bears directly on a wide range of conditions involving the nervous system. ASAM is located in brand new facilities which are part of the Macquarie University Hospital precinct.  A $10,000 top-up is available above the Macquarie University PhD stipend level for suitably qualified candidates. International students are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants should apply to Professor Mark Connor for further information.

Phone: +61-2-9812 3544
Email: mark.connor@asam.mq.edu.au
Web: http://www.medicine.mq.edu.au/

PhD Opportunities in Molecular Neuroscience

The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University

A PhD scholarship position is available immediately to undertake research as part of a larger research effort examining the integration of genetic, metabolic and physiological mechanisms driving cardiovascular disease in renal failure and in particular, polycystic kidney disease. The Molecular Neuroscience group at ASAM has a strong interest in autonomic dysfunction and our work aims to understand how sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of target tissues is altered in disease states. We use multiple approaches including molecular techniques, assessment of structure relative to function and electrophysiology approaches aimed to undertake both long-term and short-term recording of sympathetic activity. The specific project would be designed with the potential candidate.

The scholarship will enable the student to be part of the ASAM team, which receives funding from the NH&MRC and other external agencies and whose work overall bears directly on diseases such as hypertension, stroke and heart disease. The group is currently relocating to brand new facilities as part of the Macquarie University Hospital precinct.  A $10,000 top-up is available above the Macquarie University PhD stipend level for suitably qualified candidates. International students are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants from appropriate undergraduate backgrounds should apply to Professor Jacqueline Phillips for further information.

Professor Jacqueline Phillips
Email: jacqueline.phillips@asam.mq.edu.au
Tel: +61 2 9850 4716
Fax: +61 2 9850 4010