UQDI International PhD Scholarships: Closes 23 September 2012

The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute (UQDI) was established in 2007 as the sixth research institute of The University of Queensland. The aim of the Institute is to develop a better understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, and to translate that understanding into practical outcomes for patients. Based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital teaching campus in Brisbane, the Institute has almost 200 researchers and students who work closely with clinicians in the areas of cancer, immunology and genomic medicine. UQDI is undergoing an exciting period of expansion in preparation for its relocation into the Translational Research Institute (TRI) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in late 2012 and is thus looking to recruit a number of high calibre PhD students.

The TRI will be one of the southern hemisphere's largest facilities of its kind, and will be one of only a few places worldwide where new biopharmaceuticals and treatments can be researched, discovered, manufactured, and clinically tested in one location. The Translational Research Institute - ‘translating laboratory success into benefits for patients’ - is a major step forward in growing Australia’s research capacity. The TRI building will house up to 900 researchers and support staff. State of the art facilities will include physical containment level 2 (PC2) and level 3 (PC3) laboratories, a vivarium, a Cell Therapies clean room facility, staff support spaces, a large lecture theatre and advanced education facilities. The associated and adjacent biopharmaceuticals facility will house a pilot drug manufacturing facility to bring discoveries to pilot commercialisation.

UQDI will be the largest partner in TRI, and is building major programs in Immunology, Cancer and Genomic Medicine research, with a particular focus on research aimed at development of new treatments. UQDI itself is an extremely well equipped translational biomedical research institute, with outstanding facilities for research in animal models of disease including cutting-edge imaging technologies, human cell and molecular biology research in cancer and immunology, and genomics research, housing the largest sequencing/genotyping facility in Australasia. Its close affiliation with clinical units at Princess Alexandra Hospital provides it with a significant strategic advantage in near-patient, translational research. UQDI is part of the University of Queensland, one of the top Australasian universities, and internationally is ranked in the top 100 universities in all major independent rankings; UQDI academics thus are part of a vibrant and highly successful academic institution optimising their chances of research success.

Scholarships
The UQ Diamantina Institute is pleased to offer PhD scholarships in one of the Institute research themes focussing on autoimmunity, cancer and genomics. These scholarships are specifically aimed at attracting high quality international students who will take full advantage of this opportunity to undertake studies in a unique translational research environment. For potential research projects and supervisors, please visit: http://www.di.uq.edu.au/research

UQ has been approved to participate in the Australian Government’s new Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) system by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The SVP will benefit international students by enabling simpler documentation requirements and much faster visa issuing times. You must meet Immigration’s requirements under the SVP. Commencement

Successful candidates can commence from the 1^st January 2013 once all admission requirements have been met (For further information on the Basis of Admission to a UQ research higher degree, please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our-research-degrees. Successful applicants must accept and commence within 6 months of receiving the award.

The Candidate
Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree with 1st class honours in science, or a master's degree with a 25% research component (science related fields) or equivalent. Applicants must fulfill the PhD admission criteria for the University of Queensland and demonstrate excellent capacity and potential for research. Applicants are required to have valid English language proficiency test results that have met with the University requirements (http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/english-language-proficiency-requirements).

The primary supervisor of the PhD candidate will be a core member of the UQDI and the student must be based at the UQDI, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia.

Remuneration
Successful candidates will be awarded a research scholarship valued at $23,728 per annum for 3 years (tax exempt, indexed annually) and receive a fee waiver. A six-month scholarship extension may be granted in extenuating circumstances.

Enquiries
To discuss this role please contact Ms Sarah Romig at di.pgao@uq.edu.au

To submit an application for this role, please visit the UQ Jobs website.

Applicants should include an Expression of Interest form, current curriculum vitae (including the names and contact details of three academic referees and any publications), academic record, and valid English language proficiency test results.

Applications with incomplete information will not be considered for the scholarship.

For information on completing the application process click here.

Applications close on 23^rd September 2012