ICS APAI Biochemistry/Microbiology PhD Scholarship
Closing Date: 9 January 2008
Automated pathogen detection using time-gated luminescence microscopy PhD Scholarship
Macquarie University, Olympus Australia and Westmead Hospital have successfully gained funding under the ARC Linkage Program to support a project aimed initially at the rapid detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). MRSA has evolved the ability to survive treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and methicillin, greatly increasing the difficulty of treatment.
The successful candidate will undertake PhD research to study approaches to conjugating antibodies and DNA probes to novel luminescent fluorophores for computer-assisted microscopy analysis. This is a joint project with the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at Westmead Hospital and a significant portion of the candidate’s research time will be spent at this facility working with clinical samples.
The successful candidate will be part of a team of scientists and medical professionals from Macquarie University, Olympus Australia and Westmead Hospital to develop the hardware and biochemical protocols to facilitate a rapid, culture free assay for detecting low levels of respiratory pathogens. This project will utilize time-gated luminescence microscopy (TGLM) to suppress autofluorescence and permit the rapid detection of labeled organisms in-situ.
Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) scholarships are available to Australian and New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents only. Applicants should have completed an Australian four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with at least Second Class: Division 1 honours, or demonstrate equivalent research qualifications from an Australian or overseas University. Candidates should have a background in biology or chemistry.
The stipend for APAI awards is currently A$26,140 per annum, tax exempt (2008). The tenure is 3 years subject to satisfactory progress. Tuition fees will be funded for the scholarship tenure, with students receiving Research Training Scheme (RTS) placement for their tuition. The successful applicant must commence by 15 January 2008.
Further information regarding the project may be obtained by contacting the supervisor: Doctor Russell Connally, telephone: +61-2-9850 8111, email: rconnall@ics.mq.edu.au; or the Associate Supervisor at Westmead Hospital, Associate Professor Jon Iredell, telephone: +61-2- 9845 6255, email: joni@icpmr.wsahs.nsw.gov.au.
Application forms and conditions are available from the Macquarie University Higher Degree Research Office, telephone (02) 9850 7987, email: hdrschol@vc.mq.edu.au .
Applications should be forwarded to:
The Scholarship Officer
The Research Hub
Level 3, C5C East
Macquarie University NSW 2109
AUSTRALIA
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