About us

The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) at the Griffith Health Centre on the Gold Coast has initiated a comprehensive research program into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID. ME/CFS is a multi-system condition that affects about 24 million people globally and many symptoms are neurological in nature. Recently the NCNED group made progress in understanding its cellular origins and advanced neuroimaging has been important in understanding its neurological symptoms.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to map tissue microstructural and functional connectivity of the brain noninvasively to better understand brain function. Anatomical, functional connectivity details with high resolution MRI data has always been of great interest to better understand the pathophysiology of diseases. As a neuroimaging research group within NCNED at Griffith University, we have been developing neuroimaging methods to understand the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and long COVID. Our brain MRI has evolved with the technology and our latest study included functional MRI, structural, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Our team aims to better understand the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and long COVID by acquiring multi-modal imaging data using both the 3 and ultra-high field 7 Tesla MRI. Much remains to be done and we offer challenging projects for talented early career researchers. Research projects will involve acquisition and analysis of a new data set (functional, DTI, structural, and Quantitative susceptibility mapping ) and analysis of large existing data sets.

Griffith Health and NCNED are looking to invest in the future of health research with higher degree by offering The Brotchie-Wallace Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation scholarships.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to develop neuroimaging methods to understand the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and long COVID in addition to characterisation of pharmacotherapeutic actions of repurposed pharmacotherapeutics during clinical trials. This project focuses on mapping tissue microstructural changes using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) data in Healthy Control, ME/CFS and long COVID cohorts acquired from 7 Tesla MRI. These high spatial resolution data from a 7 Tesla research MRI are of exceptional quality and have the potential to provide unique insights into iron/myelin related pathophysiology in ME/CFS and long COVID. The successful candidate will work with national and international research groups and will have the opportunity to attend national and international conferences.

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, you must also meet the entry requirements for Higher degrees by Research at Griffith University You will have evidence of a passion for research, with a strong desire to undertake research in a multi-disciplinary environment.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) 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 in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.
  
  Please note:
• Candidate with knowledge of programming language in MATLAB/Python/R.
• Applicant with background of image processing especially using MRI data will be an advantage.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship

The living allowance stipend will be $33,480 per annum tax-free for three years (2024 rate, indexed annually). Project funding to undertake the research, conference travel and incidentals is also provided. 

A successful international applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years (noting the onshore requirement mentioned previously). Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

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
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm Thursday, 20 June 2024

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

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).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:

Dr Kiran Thapaliya
Phone: (07) 5678 0961
Email: [email protected]

or

Dr Leighton Barnden
Phone: (07) 5678 0792
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Phone: (07) 3735 3817
Email: [email protected]