Research Scholar: oxytocin receptor as a novel target for breast cancer treatment and tumour detect

The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) is a leading global life sciences research institute committed to improving quality of life through research. IMB was established in 2000 as UQ's first research institute and is the cornerstone of one of the largest bioscience research precincts in Australia.

The Institute is home to more than 450 researchers, postgraduate students and support staff from more than 40 countries who work in partnership with their academic, industry and clinical colleagues around the world to advance knowledge in areas including pain, rare diseases, inflammation, superbug infection, cardiovascular disease, environmental research, drug discovery and development, cancer, diabetes and obesity, and reproductive health. Our mission is to drive the bioeconomy and create better health; our vision is to be a life sciences institute with global impact.

By investigating how we grow and develop at the genetic, molecular, cellular and organ levels, IMB researchers can better understand the development processes and pathways involved in human and animal health and disease. The institute also has the technical capacity to translate its new knowledge into drugs, diagnostics and technologies to more effectively prevent, detect and treat disease; and pursue opportunities in a range of biotechnology applications for health, industry and the environment. 

IMB's research outcomes are protected and commercialised by UQ-owned technology transfer group UniQuest.

Details of the research interests of the Institute may be accessed on the Institute's website at: http://www.imb.uq.edu.au.

The project

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary project exploring the oxytocin receptor as a novel target for breast cancer treatment and tumour detection. This is a joint project between the Muttenthaler/ Alewood lab http://www.alewood.group.uq.edu.au/ http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/12444 and the Moeller lab at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/lab/tumour-microenvironment.

Key approaches for this project include organic and peptide synthesis, proteomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology and pharmacology, proliferation assays, xenograft animal models, and ligand/target validation in clinical/patient samples.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their research career in the multidisciplinary collaborative research environment of IMB/UQ/QIMR.

The candidate

Both Australian and international applicants are welcome to apply. Candidates should have a First Class Honours Degree or Master Degree (or equivalent) in the fields of biochemistry, cancer biology, chemistry, pharmacology or a related discipline. Strong academic performance, good oral and written communication skills, and published output will be additional assessment criteria.

Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD with the Univeristy of Queensland.  For a complete list of the University of Queensland's minimum entry requirements please refer to: http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our-research-degrees.

Scholarship Remuneration

Prospective students will be provided with assistance to apply for a scholarship.  Domestic students will be expected to apply for an APA or equivalent scholarship, while international students will be expected to apply for UQ International Student Scholarships for stipend and tuition support.

Award of a scholarship will be conditional upon the applicant applying for and obtaining an unconditional offer for entry to the PhD program at UQ under the supervision of Dr Markus Muttenthaler and A/Prof Andreas Moeller and being assessed in the next available UQ scholarship round.

Enquiries

To discuss this role please contact Dr Markus Muttenthaler on m.muttenthaler@uq.edu.au.

Applications Close: 18 December 2016

Reference: 499720