Higher Degrees by Research (PhD/MPhil)
The PhD and MPhil degrees, also known Higher Degrees by Research (HDR), allow you to undertake an extensive original research project, which is guided by one of our experienced researchers. These degrees foster the skills you need to develop, conduct and communicate the results of a unique scientific research topic. A research degree also equips you with transferable skills such as leadership, project management, communication, critical thinking and teamwork, which allow you to secure positions not only in research and academia, but also in industry and government roles.
Why choose IMB?
At IMB, you will be surrounded by world-renowned, brilliant thinkers who are at the cutting edge of research. You have access to first class facilities that allow you to ask and answer the big questions. You will benefit from a collegial, supportive advisory team where professional development and entrepreneurship are encouraged and fostered. Finally, as an IMB student, you will be supported with a thriving and welcoming social environment led by our student leaders through SIMBA.
What will you study?
The first step is knowing what you want to study, and fortunately, undertaking a HDR degree provides you with that unique opportunity to study whatever it is you are most passionate about.
The second step is linking up with a researcher that shares that passion:
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Membrane trafficking at atomic resolution with Associate Professor Brett Collins
- Role of the cell surface in health and disease with Professor Rob Parton
- Genetic Epidemiology with Professor David Evans
- Physiology of circadian rhythms with Associate Professor Frederic Gachon
- Dynamic control of vascular growth and function with Dr Emma Gordon
- Cellular mechanisms to maintain a healthy vasculature with Dr Anne Lagendijk
- Cellular reprogramming and ageing with Dr Christian Nefzger
- Stem cells and cardiovascular development with Dr Nathan Palpant
- Inflammasomes with Professor Kate Schroder
- Protein trafficking and inflammation with Professor Jennifer Stow
- Innate immunity, infection and inflammation with Professor Matt Sweet
- Dynamics of morphogenesis with Dr Mel White
- Cadherin cell-cell adhesion with Professor Alpha Yap
- Chemistry and Structural Biology
- Superdrugs vs Superbugs with Dr Mark Blaskovich
- Molecular biodiscovery: learning from nature with Professor Rob Capon
- Drugs and diagnostics for superbugs, viruses and cancer with Professor Matthew Cooper
- Protein structure in drug and insecticide design with Professor David Craik
- Chemistry and human therapeutics with Professor David Fairlie
- Bioinspired design of solar biotechnology systems with Professor Ben Hankamer
- Bacterial infections and immunology with Professor Ian Henderson
- Bugs and drugs with Professor Glenn King
- Pharmacology of marine toxins with Professor Richard Lewis
- Neuropeptide research with Associate Professor Markus Muttenthaler
- Combinatorial chemistry and molecular design with Associate Professor Mark Smythe
- Pain pathways with Professor Irina Vetter
- Genetics and Genomics
Potential HDRs are encouraged to reach out to our researchers to start this connection. When contacting them, please send them your idea for a potential research topic, your academic CV and transcript(s).
Not sure where your passions currently lie? Have a look at our IMB Student Projects page for pre-defined projects on offer.
What scholarship support is available?
There are three major scholarship schemes to support you while undertaking your study:
- Graduate School Scholarship: this scholarship covers tuition and provides ~$29K a year for living expenses
- Earmarked Scholarship: join an existing project linked to IMB’s ground-breaking research. This scholarship covers tuition and provides ~$29K a year for living expenses
- Global Challenges PhD Scholarship: become a part of a research cohort to overcome Antimicrobial Resistance and decoding Genes and Genomes. This scholarship covers tuition fees and provides $37.5K a year for living expenses