PhD Scholarship: Perry Cross - Optimising the timing of cell transplantation to repair spinal cord

The Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, within the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics at Griffith University is headed by Professor James St John. The Centre is a large multi-disciplinary group including neuroscientists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, bioengineers and surgeons. We combine discovery and translational research to optimise and accelerate the delivery of therapeutic outcomes for people with severe disability. Our Centre engages extensively with the community to shape our research and to create solutions that have a clear path to market.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Supervisors for the project will be Dr Ronak Reshamwala and Professor James St John.

Griffith University sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation PhD scholarship is a prestigious scholarship supported by the Foundation to accelerate delivery of a therapy to repair spinal cord injury. We are looking for a PhD candidate to conduct research on how olfactory ensheathing cells can be activated into different states to target various stages of the acute and chronic injury phases.

The position is part of the larger Spinal Injury Project which is testing an olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation therapy for chronic spinal cord in a human clinical Phase I trial. The team is also planning to make the therapy suitable for acute spinal cord injury. The primary focus of this PhD position is to determine how the activation status of olfactory ensheathing cells reacts to different phases of the injury site. This will help determine the optimal timing of transplantation of cells in distinctly activated phenotypes, with the ultimate aim being to incorporate the outcomes into the therapeutic clinical pipeline.

Success in this role requires i) an innovative, entrepreneurial attitude with a passion to deliver products to market, (ii) a focus on consumer involvement, (iii) ability to work with clinicians, (iv) aptitude to work both autonomously and co-operatively within a large team, (v) drive and imagination to contribute to science.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, a scientific background in neuroscience and cell biology is desirable. You will have evidence of a passion for conducting basic and translational research, with a strong desire to undertake research in neural repair.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from applicants who already have residency in Australia.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to Second class/Division (2A) honours or a Masters degree incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

About the scholarship

The scholarship has an annual stipend of $50,000 for a period of up to three years of full-time study.

What Griffith offers

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EoI process

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a  copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Wednesday 20 August 2025 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:

Dr Ronak Reshamwala

Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Email: [email protected]