PhD Scholarship – Structural Aspects of Digestion
Job No.: 679367
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 how the structure of fat droplets during digestion is impacted by composition and formulation processing. Working under the broader project of ‘Precision Nutrition’ the research will investigate how the structure present in food systems dictates functional aspects such as digestion and release of nutrients. Working alongside other postdocs and students focused more on biological aspects of these processes, this position will focus on structure formed at interfaces and within fat droplets during digestion and the impact of formulation composition and processing on 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 structure in materials, preferably soft matter. Having conducted some hands-on scattering (X-ray or neutron) experiments, especially with some modelling experience will be a distinct advantage. Experience with other interfacial characterization techniques would also be beneficial especially in the absence of scattering experience. Alternatively you may have experience in advanced microscopy techniques 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 – Structural Aspects of 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 website www.monash.edu/future-students/phd
Applications Close: Wednesday 14 May 2025, 11:55pm AEST
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