Flinders University PhD scholarship - Fully funded for up to 3.5 years

Description of scholarship opportunity

Seeking a full-time PhD candidate with an outstanding track record for a fully funded National Industry PhD scholarship ($53,195 p.a. for up to 3.5 years) at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, working on a collaborative project with the Southern Oncology Clinical Trials Unit (SOCRU). The project will investigate the therapeutic effects of naturally derived products on gastrointestinal cancers for translation into Phase I clinical trials.

The PhD will provide the student with experience in cell culture, molecular biology, clinical trial design and operations, consumer engagement and statistics. As part of the National Industry PhD there will be at least 20-50% of the PhD project undertaken with the industry partner SOCRU (located in Bedford Park), with the primary location of the PhD in the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. As part of the National Industry PhD program, the candidate will have access to additional professional development training to provide skills and knowledge to navigate industry and academia.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Jean Winter (Flinders University) and Dr Ganessan Kichenadasse (SOCRU) primarily at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. The successful candidate must be able to work both independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, when working with staff, students, and collaborators.

Benefits and tenure

• Stipend valued at $53,195 p.a that is tax-free:

o   $36,060 RTP base-level scholarship

o   $10,000 Industry partner contribution

o   $7,135 from the Australian government

• Up to 3.5 years for the award

• Access to paid leave entitlements under the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines

• National Industry PhD program training opportunities

• Expertise in translational research from bench to human phase I clinical trials design and conduct

Eligibility criteria for scholarship

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship, a student must:

• Be an Australian citizen, or New Zealand citizen, have been granted permanent resident status.

• Meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification, including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving a minimum Distinction (75%)

• Must be available to start full-time by the end of August 2026.

• International students are eligible to apply, however, they may be required to pay international fees and must be able to commence by the end of August 2026 in Australia.

Application process

Those who apply for the scholarship opportunity that have not already applied for admission to a relevant Flinders University HDR must also apply. Instructions on how to apply for admission can be found here: https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/apply/apply-research-degree/how-to-apply

By lodging this separate application, applicants acknowledge:

• The ‘Supervisor confirmation’ must refer to the application for this scholarship

• The application for PhD admission will only be assessed where the applicant is successful in being awarded the scholarship

Please send a copy of your CV together with a covering letter outlining your relevant qualifications, experience, research experience, and reasons for applying for the scholarship to the project lead Dr Jean Winter via email (jea••••••••@flinders.edu.au)

Applicants will be shortlisted, and interviews will be held in July 2026 with outcome notified by August 2026. The successful candidate will ideally begin before the end of August 2026.