PhD Scholarship - Biomedical Sciences

The School of Biomedical Sciences

The School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Queensland is an acknowledged leader in biomedical sciences in Australia. Our University is typically placed around 30 in the world’s top 100 for biomedicine, according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings. 

Our School’s research strengths include cardiovascular and renal physiology, cell and developmental biology; cell physiology; functional anatomy; molecular pharmacology; and neuroscience. Our interests encompass animal behaviour; the biology of disease; drug development; marine science; neural regeneration; neuropathology; and pedagogical studies.

The role

The successful applicant will work on a project aiming at developing new treatment interventions for obesity related hypertension. Obese patients frequently develop high blood pressure (hypertension) which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, current treatments fail to reduce blood pressure in obese patients. We recently found that levels of a powerful vasodilator molecule termed ‘nitric oxide’ (NO) were less in obese patients with hypertension compared to obese individuals with normal blood pressure. Excitingly, we also found that transgenic obese mice with augmented NO levels were resistant to the development of hypertension! These findings indicate that reduced NO bioavailability plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity related hypertension.

In the current project, we will examine whether treatment interventions that increase NO bioavailability can prevent hypertension in the setting of obesity. This project involves cell culture experiments, animal experiments and in vitro experiments relating to clinical studies in patients.

The person

Applicants will possess a 1st Class Honours degree or equivalent in Physiology, Pharmacology or a related discipline.

Remuneration

The stipend is equivalent to the APA rate, $26,682 per annum, (2017 rate, indexed annually). The scholarship will be for three (3) years with the possibility of two six (6)-month extensions and is subject to the UQ Research Scholarship General Conditions.

Enquiries

Enquiries about the project details can be directed to Dr Niwanthi Rajapakse, email n.rajapakse@uq.edu.au. 

All applicants must supply the following documents: a Cover letter (including the names of 3 referees, one of whom should be your immediate/Honours supervisor), a Resume, and a statement describing your interests and why you would be a good fit for the above position. To be considered for the role please submit all 3 documents.

Important: please do not send your application directly to the person listed in the enquiries section of the advertisement since these will not be considered. Applications not received via UQ Jobs online system will not be considered.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.

For information on completing the application process click here.