"PhD Scholarship: An innovative particulate multistage malaria vaccine"

PhD Scholarship: An innovative particulate multistage malaria vaccine

Full-time

Employment Type: Full Time

Department ID: DVC Research - SDV

Appointment Type: Continuing

Company Description

The Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics (IBG) is Griffith University’s flagship biomedical research institute, established on 1 July 2024. IBG brings together more than 400 researchers and professional staff working across the Gold Coast and Brisbane (Nathan) campuses. It is strategically located within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, enabling deep integration with hospitals, industry partners, and other research institutes. The focus is on combating diseases with global impact, especially infectious diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders. Their mission emphasizes translating scientific discoveries rapidly into clinical solutions that improve global health, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The work will be conducted at the Institute of Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Job Description

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to research the design and assembly of synthetic particulate malaria vaccines that not only prevent the infection but also inhibit the transmission via mosquitoes. The primary focus of this role is to synthetically combine malaria antigens and assess their safety and immunogenicity in animal models. This project includes AI-assisted structural modelling of antigens, molecular biology and biochemical methods to produce and characterise various vaccine candidates.

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, you will be able to independently conduct experiments relevant to vaccine design, production and caharacterisation. You will have evidence of a passion for vaccines and for providing solutions for unmet health challenges, with a strong desire to undertake research in immunology.

Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.

Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with honours equivalent to second class, division A 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 Policy. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program, refer here.

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

Additional Information

About the scholarship

The 2026 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $35,656 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years full time study. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

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. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EOI Process

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to hdr-scholarships@griffith.edu.au, containing:

Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship

Brief research proposal, maximum 2 pages

Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the ‘About you’ section

A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.

Names and contact details of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 6 March 2026 at 5pm AEST

_The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line_

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor Bernd Rehm

Phone: (07) 3735 4233

Email: b.rehm@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Email: hdr@griffith.edu.au