Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- St Lucia
- Research area
- Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences, Biological sciences, Health sciences
Project description
Alphaviruses, such as chikungunya and Ross River viruses have resulted in millions of cases globally, causing substantial morbidity. Alphaviral disease similarly threatens our livestock industries. This project is aligned with the ARC Future Fellowship of A/Prof Jody Peters and will progress the recently developed chimeric insect-specific alphavirus platform based on Yada Yada virus (YYV) towards new vaccine and diagnostic applications while providing fundamental information around the host-restriction of insect-specific alphaviruses to underpin the safety of the platform.
Specifically, the objectives of the project are:
- Investigate the viral and host factors associated with insect-specific alphavirus restriction in vertebrate cells.
- Advance understanding of immunological mechanisms of protection of chimeric YYV-based vaccines.
- Apply chimeric YYV alphavirus antigens to a variety of diagnostic platforms.
Research environment
You will join a vibrant research environment with a strong focus on translational research. The research team seek to provide innovative solutions for tangible countermeasures against mosquito-borne disease. The team comprises multiple post-doctoral researchers and HDR scholars, who interact with a close collaborative network of other world-class virology labs.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.
Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history
A working knowledge of virology, immunology and molecular microbiology would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of virology and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of alphaviruses, immunoassays, cell and virus culture, and reverse genetics is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2026. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2025 30 June, 2025.
You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- Contact Associate Professor Jody Peters (j.peters2@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.
When you apply
You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.
In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:
- My higher degree is not collaborative
- I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
- UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.