PhD Scholarship: Investigations of killer cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID

• Full-time
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Department ID: DVC Research - SDV
• Appointment Type: Fixed Term

Company Description

The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) is a world-class research facility focusing on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.

Our research is world-leading in the area of identification of the pathology, development of a screen/diagnostic test and drug treatments for ME/CFS and Long COVID patients. Our aim is to translate our research to improve patient outcomes in the area of preventative medicine, social and clinical care, and public health.

Further, the NCNED is committed to ensuring the success of higher degree research students and early career researchers. The NCNED has been successful in training and fostering up-and-coming researchers resulting in employability of candidates.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Gold Coast. 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

Griffith Health and NCNED are looking to invest in the future of health research with higher degree by research scholarships. A PhD position is available to undertake research at the NCNED led by Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik.

The primary focus of this project is to further elucidate the role of natural killer cells in the pathomechanism, diagnosis and treatment of people living with ME/CFS and long COVID. This novel project will utilise high-throughput imaging, automated machine learning and immunological techniques including flow cytometry to investigate cellular health, function and phenotypic changes in disease.

Qualifications

This scholarship is open to new and current domestic and international applicants. To be successful within this role, you must be able to develop technical laboratory and methodology skills, data analysis, and scientific writing.

Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a Bachelors degree with honours (Class I) or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a substantial research component of a standard comparable to a Bachelor honours degree (Class I) or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment. Applicants who have completed a Bachelors degree with honours (Class IIA) or a Masters degree of a comparable standard together with research experience and/or research outputs (e.g. published research papers or been awarded research funding) will be considered. These degrees should incorporate a research component in biomedical science or related.

A competitive candidate will have knowledge of ME/CFS and Long COVID, statistical software packages, and laboratory techniques.

Additional Information

About the scholarship

The successful applicant will receive a stipend of $36,000 a year for up to 3 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. 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 as set out below:

Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest (EOI) to ncned@griffith.edu.au containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Transcript of latest degree completed that included a research component / dissertation.
• A brief CV

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 27 March 2026 at 11:59pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:

Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch

Phone: (07) 5552 7676

Email: natalie.eaton-fitch@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Phone: (07) 3735 3817

Email: hdr-scholarships@griffith.edu.au