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Postgraduate scholarship to undertake research in metabolism and exercise biochemistry

The Exercise and Nutrition Research Program (ENRP) is based at the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne. The ENRP is currently seeking applicants for a PhD Scholarship to undertake innovative research studying the biochemistry of metabolism and exercise.

The Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research provides a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment for PhD students to pursue an academic and/or industry research career. It has a large academic and support staff dedicated to its research program, substantial research funding, a vibrant PhD program, and world leading national and international collaborative partners. For more information visit the Exercise and Nutrition Research Program page.

Exercise is essential in regulating metabolism and remains the most promising first-line therapy for obesity and associated metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The regulation of whole-body metabolism and health by exercise involves a coordinated network of molecular, cellular and physiological adaptations. Professor John Hawley leads an internationally renowned multidisciplinary team conducting translational exercise and nutrition research using humans, animal models and cellular systems. A major research theme of the ENRP is how signalling networks and energy-sensing proteins impact the health-promoting effects of exercise.

The successful Scholarship recipient will be supervised by Professor John Hawley (Director, Exercise and Nutrition Research Program) and Dr Nolan Hoffman (Head of the newly formed Integrative Physiology group). The recipient’s candidature will also involve interaction with world-class researchers and health professionals in the fields of metabolism, exercise and nutrition.

Scholarship eligibility criteria

• Australian First Class Honours degree or Masters degree by research/coursework in any of the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and exercise science, ‘omics’ technologies and/or bioinformatics
• First or upper second class Honours degree (U.K.)
• Academic excellence, including, but not limited to, academic awards and grants
• Professional experience, relevant training and/or research experience in rodent handling and experimentation, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and/or
• metabolism
• Academic publications and/or conference presentations, especially in the area of the PhD Scholarship, relative to their career to date

Study mode and location:

Full-time for three years at MMIHR, ACU Melbourne campus, commencing early 2019.

Value and duration:

The scholarship offers

• A tax-free stipend of A$26,288 per annum plus a A$5,000 per annum top-up for three years, subject to satisfactory progress and full-time study mode
• A Research Training Program Fees Offset Scholarship; that is a Commonwealth funded place for domestic candidates
• A tuition fee waiver and Overseas Student Health Care Policy for international candidates

Applications close:  1 October 2018

Candidates must include a 1 to 2-page cover letter with their application, demonstrating how they meet the scholarship eligibility criteria.

Closing date: 1 October 2018

For more information:

Dr Nolan Hoffman

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Exercise and Nutrition Research Program

Email: Nolan.Hoffman@acu.edu.au

Phone: +61 (0)3 9230 8277

Applications from domestic and currently enrolled candidates should be submitted to:

Candidature Services

Australian Catholic University

Locked Bag 4115

Fitzroy MDC VIC 3065

E: res.cand@acu.edu.au