PhD Scholarship in Reprogramming of different cell types into podocytes

Job no.: 637476

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: $34,013 per annum full-time rate 

The Opportunity

Expressions of interest are sought from outstanding candidates for PhD study in Anatomy and Developmental Biology.

PhD Project – Reprogramming of different cell types into podocytes

Podocytes are the cells in kidney glomeruli responsible for blood filtration. Loss and alteration of podocytes lead to dysfunction of the glomerular filtration barrier which can give rise to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). CKD is estimated to affect 11-13% of the world population, and frequently progresses to end stage kidney disease requiring kidney dialysis or transplantation.  Podocytes are terminally differentiated, and they do not have a stem cell to replace them, so once they are lost there is not a regenerative process to replace them. We hypothesise that podocytes could be replenished by cellular reprogramming means. In the same location where podocytes reside, there are two different cell types: endothelial cells and parietal epithelial cells. In order to test this hypothesis, the student will use transcription factors predicted by the MOGRIFY algorithm to reprogram in vitro different cells into podocytes. This project will test this in mouse and human cells, with the effect of the transcription factors in the cells as well as the degree of reprogramming to be assessed by morphological, molecular and functional characterisation.

The ARC Training Centre for Cell & Tissue Engineering Technologies (ARC CTET) is a new Research Centre led by Monash University and QUT in collaboration with 22 industry partner organisations. The successful applicant will work closely with industry partner Mogrify, a UK-based company working to transform the lives of patients through the development of a novel class of in vivo reprogramming therapies.

Applicants should have previous research and laboratory experience in related fields such as molecular biology, cell biology, stem cell biology, cell culture and bioassays. Applicants must show excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and the potential to conduct self-motivated research. They should have an Honours or Masters Degree (or equivalent).

Note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants will be considered provided that they fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University and demonstrate excellent research capability. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/apply .  

Enquiries

Professor John Bertram, Anatomy & Developmental Biology,[email protected] .

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

EOIs shall comprise:

A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant's suitability

• A curriculum vitae, including a list of published works
• A full statement of academic record, supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• Contact details of two academic referees
• Evidence of English-language proficiency (international applicants only)

Enquiries and EOIs shall be sent, preferably in the form of a single PDF attachment to an e-mail, to Professor John Bertram, Anatomy & Developmental Biology, at the following e-mail address: [email protected] .

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, either in-person or online. The interviews will be conducted in English.

Closing date

Wednesday 20 July 2022, 11:55pm AEST

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